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Shakira Prosecutors Vow to Seek Nearly a Decade of Jail Time

Shakira Prosecutors Vow to Seek Nearly a Decade of Jail Time

Latin music superstar, Shakira, is facing a tax trial in Spain after rejecting prosecutors' deal earlier this week.

The singer's legal woes began quite some time ago -- a July 2021 Newsweek article outlines the tax evasion allegations she is facing in Spain:

Judge Jesús Juberías, who made this ruling after a three-year investigation, noted that this part of the process was not about determining the "innocence or guilt" of Shakira, according to El País.

The Colombian singer, whose given name is Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, has been accused of avoiding paying €14.5 million (around $16.4 million) in taxes. Prosecutors say the pop star did not pay taxes between 2012 and 2014 despite having her tax residence in Spain.

Details of the plea deal that Shakira and her legal team turned down were not immediately available but, the Associated Press, shared that Shakira, 45, “trusts her innocence and chooses to leave the issue in the hands of the law."

The statement came via PR firm Llorente y Cuenca.

Now, there are calls for the "Waka Waka" singer to face nearly a decade of jail time amid the tax evasion claims.

NDTV reported:

Spanish prosecutors said 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

Prosecutors in Barcelona have also vowed to demand a fine of nearly 24 million euros ($24.5 million).

Shakira's ongoing legal battle isn't the only drama in the singer's life right now. She recently split her children's father, Barcelona soccer star Gerard Pique, with whom she had an 11-year relationship. The couple previously lived in Barcelona, Spain with their family, but the singing sensation's post-split address is unknown at this time.

However, there have been reports that she plans to be based in Miami, Florida. Shakira's trial date in Spain has not yet been set.

Among the Latin hitmaker's most famous songs is her February 2006 hit single, "Hips Don't Lie," which featured Wyclef Jean. The song reached number one in 55 countries.

Have you been following the Shakira tax evasion case?

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Rebekah Barton

Rebekah Barton

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