Shakira to stand trial in Spain over allegations of tax fraud

Popstar Shakira is to stand trial over tax fraud charges. The Colombian singer has been accused by Spanish prosecutors of failing to pay 14.5 million euros (£13 million) in taxes on income earned between 2012 and 2014.

Prosecutors say she could face an eight-year prison sentence and a hefty fine if she is found guilty of tax evasion. The 45-year-old has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and rejected a deal with authorities to avoid going to trial.

Her public relations firm says she has already paid all that she owed and an additional three million euros (£2.6 million) in interest. The date for the trial has yet to be set.

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The case hinges on where Shakira lived during 2012 and 2014. Prosecutors in Barcelona have alleged the Grammy winner spent more than half of that period in Spain and should have paid taxes in the country, even though her official residence was in the Bahamas.

Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, has been linked to Spain since she started dating footballer Gerard Pique. The couple, who have two children, used to live together in Barcelona but recently ended their 11-year relationship.

Spain has cracked down on footballer stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo over the past decade for not paying their full due in taxes. Both players were found guilty of evasion and received prison sentences that were waived for first-time offenders.

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