Spanish prosecutors will ask a court to sentence Colombian pop star Shakira to eight years and two months in prison, if found guilty at her scheduled trial for alleged tax evasion.
Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, is accused of failing to pay the Spanish government 14.5 million euros in taxes between 2012 and 2014. Prosecutors said on Friday they would also seek a fine of 24 million euros.
The indictment details six counts against Shakira. The singer this week rejected a settlement agreement offered by prosecutors, choose to go to trial instead. The trial date has not yet been set.
Shakira’s PR team says the singer has always fulfilled her tax obligations. It says the artist has deposited the amount she is supposed to owe, including 3 million euros in interest.
Barcelona prosecutors have alleged that the Grammy winner spent more than half of each year between 2012 and 2014 in Spain and should have paid taxes in the country.
Shakira recently ended an 11-year relationship with FC Barcelona star Gerard Pique, with whom she has two children. The family lived in Barcelona.
euronews Gt