Shakira accepts tax charges

Colombian singer Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, known as "Shakira," has accepted the charges in the tax evasion case in Spain, where she was facing a potential 8-year and 2-month prison sentence, and has opted for a settlement.

Shakira, who arrived at the Barcelona Provincial Court for the trial that began today, was followed by a large group of press.

According to information obtained from court sources, it was reported that Shakira, who was accused of evading 14.5 million euros in taxes from the Treasury through 6 different crimes between 2012 and 2014 in connection with the period she lived in Spain, agreed to pay a fine of 2.9 million euros to reach a settlement.

Under normal circumstances, the trial, in which 117 people were listed as witnesses, was expected to last for 12 hearings.

Shakira, who lived in Barcelona for a period while she was with former Barcelona footballer Gerard Pique, became a tax resident because she resided there for more than 183 days according to the country's laws.

The prosecution had accused Shakira of hiding her income and assets from the Spanish Tax Agency to avoid paying taxes in Spain, and transferring them to a network of companies based in the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Malta, Panama, and Luxembourg.

The prosecution was demanding 8 years and 2 months in prison and a total fine of nearly 23 million euros for Shakira.

News Source: 12punto