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Wednesday, 22 November 2023 INTERNATIONAL 5

Avoiding a $15 Million Trial in Spain

Shakira Agrees to

Settle Tax Fraud Case

COLOMBIAN music sensation Shakira
has reached a settlement with Spanish
prosecutors to resolve her tax fraud
case, avoiding a trial that could have

entailed a $15 million legal battle. The
agreement, disclosed at the anticipated
commencement of the trial, requires
Shakira to pay fines totaling 7.3 million

euros ($7.98 million) and accept a
three-year suspended sentence.

The tax fraud charges accused Shakira

of defrauding the Spanish state of
14.5 million euros ($15.7 million) for
income earned between 2012 and
2014. The global pop icon had consis-

tently denied the allegations, asserting
that she only established full-time resi-
dency in Spain in 2015.

Wearing a pink suit and sunglasses,
Shakira remained silent as she entered
and exited the Barcelona courthouse.
However, she released a statement

expressing her decision to settle for
the well-being of her two sons, Milan
and Sasha. The 46-year-old artist that her permanent move to Barcelona former partner Gerard Pique faced
emphasized the need to move beyond occurred just before the birth of her tax fraud charges in 2016, Shakira’s

the stress of the past years and focus second son in January 2015. settlement marks a resolution to the
on her family and career, including an high-profile case without the need for
upcoming world tour and a new album. The trial, initially scheduled to run until a protracted trial.
December 14, would have involved

The crux of the case revolved around nearly 120 witnesses and exam- Despite the legal challenges, Shakira
Shakira’s presence in Spain between ined various aspects of Shakira’s recently received three awards at the
2012 and 2014. Spanish authori- life, including social media images, Latin Grammy Awards, underscoring
ties contended that she spent more payments at hairdressers, and health her continued success in the music

than half of that period in the country, clinic visits during her pregnancy. industry. The artist, who was named
necessitating tax payments. Shakira’s Spain, known for cracking down on in the “Pandora Papers” leak in 2021,
legal team argued that until 2014, she tax evasion by celebrities, previously remains a prominent figure despite the
led a “nomadic life,” primarily earning targeted football stars Lionel Messi legal scrutiny surrounding her finan-

from international tours. They asserted and Cristiano Ronaldo. While Shakira’s cial affairs.