Shakira is reportedly facing up to eight years in prison after being ordered to stand trial by a Spanish judge. As reported by <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/shakira-tax-fraud-trial-spain-b2176171.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Independent</a>, the 'Hips Don't Lie' singer has been accused of tax fraud stemming from alleged activity between 2012 and 2014. Six Spanish state prosecutors have accused the 45-year-old Columbian singer of not paying taxes in Spain between these years, with Spanish courts now being persuaded enough to summon the chart-topper to trial. The allegation first surfaced back in 2021 when Shakira was accused of using shell companies to conceal control of assets. The singer also allegedly lied about her residence in those years and only put her name on forms in countries that are perceived to be "tax havens". <img class="size-large wp-image-1263170636" src="https://img.vt.co/2022/09/2J9WXAJ-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" />[[imagecaption|| Credit: REUTERS / Alamy]] Shakira - who allegedly only registered as a full tax resident in Spain in 2015 - maintains that she was only in Spain "sporadically" during the aforementioned time period, but prosecutors have argued that she was living in Barcelona for more than six months of the year. Spanish residents are defined as individuals who spend more than 183 days in a given calendar year in Spain and are required to pay Spanish taxes on their worldwide income. In total, the mom-of-two reportedly earned has been accused of defrauding the Spanish tax office out of 14.5 million euros (£12.2 million), based on the income she made. <img class="size-large wp-image-1263170637" src="https://img.vt.co/2022/09/2J9X43M-668x1024.jpg" alt="" width="668" height="1024" />[[imagecaption|| Credit: Paul Smith / Alamy]] Shakira has stated that the allegations made against her are "false" and has rejected a plea deal, with her lawyers stating that the 'Whenever, Wherever' singer is "absolutely certain of her innocence". In a statement made on July 27, her legal team stated that Shakira "trusts her innocence and chooses to leave the issue in the hands of the law". In their statement, her team also alleged that the prosecutor's office used "abusive methods" to conduct its investigation Prosecutors have demanded an eight-year prison sentence if Shakira - full name Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll - is convicted. <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/breaking-shakira-stand-trial-tax-28089463" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Mirror</a> also reports that the singer could be fined 23 million euros (£19.2 million) if she is found guilty. The Mirror adds that tax inspectors spent over a year monitoring Shakira's activity - going as far as to visit her favorite salon in Barcelone and sifting through her social media accounts to try and piece together how she spent her time between 2012 and 2014. <img class="size-large wp-image-1263170638" src="https://img.vt.co/2022/09/2DW6NXX-673x1024.jpg" alt="" width="673" height="1024" />[[imagecaption|| Credit: Abaca Press / Alamy]] Prosecutors then submitted their indictment to an investigating court in Esplugues de Llobregat near Barcelona During the time period that is under investigation, Shakira was in a relationship with soccer star Gerard Pique. The couple has since split, confirming their separation earlier this year. <h6>Featured image credit: Abaca Press / Alamy</h6>

Shakira faces 8 years in prison as judge orders trial

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