Spanish prosecutors said on Friday they would seek a prison sentence of more than eight years against global music superstar Shakira, after she rejected a plea deal on accusations of tax evasion.
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Prosecutors in Barcelona demand a fine of 24 million euros from the 45-year-old "Hips don't Lie" songstress, whom they accuse of defrauding the Spanish tax office out of 14.5 million euros.
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Shakira, who has sold over 60 million albums, rejected a plea deal on Wednesday, saying in a statement through her lawyers that she was "absolutely certain of her innocence."
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Lawyers for Shakira, one of the biggest names in the global music industry, say an agreement remains possible until the start of any trial.
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Prosecutors say Shakira moved to Spain in 2011 when her relationship with FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique became public but maintained official tax residency in the Bahamas until 2015.
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On Wednesday, the star slammed the "complete violation of her rights" and "abusive methods" carried out by the prosecutor's office.
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She said prosecutors were "insisting on claiming money earned during my international tours and the show 'The Voice'" on which she was a judge, when she was "not yet resident in Spain".
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Shakira was named in one of the largest ever leaks of financial documents in October 2021, known as the "Pandora Papers", among public figures linked to offshore assets.
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