Shakira will stand trial in Spain on tax fraud charges; the prosecution requests an 8-year prison sentence

According to reports, Shakira will stand trial in Spain for alleged tax fraud. The Columbian music diva will be tried in Spain on six counts of tax fraud, a judge ruled on September 27, according to the Associated Press via NBC News. The trial's start date, which will take place in Esplugues de Llobregat, a town close to Barcelona, has not yet been determined.

After Spanish prosecutors claimed that the singer had not paid up to 14.5 million euros in taxes between 2012 and 2014, Shakira was accused of tax cheating in 2018. Shakira's official residence was designated as the Bahamas. Still, according to the prosecution, she spent more than half of that time in Spain, where her ex-boyfriend Gerard Piqué plays professional soccer. As a result, the prosecution claims that she should have been paying taxes there.

The singer has disputed the allegations, and according to a statement from her representative obtained by Elle, she "has always complied and abided by the law, exhibiting excellent conduct as an individual and a taxpayer." The singer's October magazine cover story referred to these as "false accusations."

Shakira’s unexpected break

Recent news about Shakira has included her unexpected breakup with Gerard Pique, among other topics. The former couple, who had been married for eleven years and had two sons together, announced their separation in a joint statement that said in part, "We are sorry to let you know that we will no longer be together. Because it is our main priority to safeguard the safety of our children, we want respect for [our] privacy ".