Shakira admits to tax evasion charges

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

The prosecution had accused Shakira of evading 14.5 million euros (498 million 945 thousand lira) in taxes from the treasury through six different offenses between 2012 and 2014.

It was stated that she hid her income and assets from the Spanish Tax Agency to avoid paying taxes in Spain, transferring them to a network of companies based in the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Malta, Panama, and Luxembourg.

The prosecution was seeking eight years and two months in prison and a total fine of nearly 23 million euros (722 million 430 thousand lira) for Shakira.

Shakira appeared in the Barcelona provincial court today. According to information obtained from court sources, Shakira reached a settlement by agreeing to pay a 2.9 million euro (91 million 89 thousand lira) fine.

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

News Source: 12punto