Shakira has turned down a deal and will go to trial for tax fraud in Spain

Colombian singer Shakira rejected the deal offered by the prosecutor’s office in Spain to avoid being tried for four crimes against the treasury and decided to go to trial for alleged tax fraudas he has “full” faith in her innocence.

As reported Wednesday by the artist’s communications agency, her legal team held talks with the Barcelona (northeast) prosecutor’s office to reach an agreement that would reduce the sentence that could pay them, but has decided to decline the latest offer of the prosecutor.

In a statement, Shakira assures that she has chosen to “leave the matter in the hands of the law, with the tranquility and trust that justice gives him reason “.

Despite the fact that the prosecution and the defense did not reach a consensus agreement, the singer still could agree with the prosecutor until the day of judgment itself.

His will has always been to continue in the criminal trial, without being satisfied with a reduction of the sentence that could correspond to him, underlines the statement.

For the singer, this case “constitutes a total indignationto his rights, as he has always shown “impeccable behavior, as a person and as a taxpayer, and full willingness to resolve any differences right from the start, even before the criminal proceedings”.

“Still at odds” with his legal team’s criteria on alleged tax fraud, the artist returned 17.2 million euros to the Spanish Treasury, the allegedly defrauded sum plus interest, and “for many years there has been no outstanding debt,” he says.

Shakira expressed regret that “never” in any other country has she encountered “persecution with such unreasonable and so ferocious“,” nor such an obvious use of media and reputational pressure as a collection mechanism “.

The Spanish Treasury asked for around 14.5 million euros when it saw indications that in 2012 the singer was already residing in Spain and was obliged to pay taxes in this country since then, but alleged hidden income through a network based in tax havens.

The artist has already paid those 14.5 million euros and another three in interest, which does not prevent her from going to trial for alleged tax fraud between 2012 and 2014.

The case dates back to 2017, when the so-called “heaven cards”, a survey carried out by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), revealed that Shakira resided in Barcelona Along with her husband, FC Barcelona footballer Gerard Piqué, and their two children, although she was allegedly domiciled in the tax haven of the Bahamas.

Last month the artist announced his separation from the player, his partner for twelve years.

The investigation also ensured that the singer was faring in two countries with tax advantages, Malta and Luxembourg, some 31.6 million euros for the copyright of their songs.

The singer’s lawyers have clarified that she had lived in the Bahamas since 2004, but in the following years she had to travel “without stopping”, that until 2015 her presence in Spain did not exceed the period that requires the payment of taxes and that the management of these millions have been made since 2007 through a Maltese company which “meets all legal requirements”.

Source: EFE.