Spanish court acquits Colombian singer Shakira in tax fraud case

Web Desk: A Spanish court has acquitted Colombian singer Shakira in a tax fraud case.

According to a news agency, Spain’s High Court has ordered that more than €60 million paid by Shakira in fines be returned to her with interest.

Court documents stated that tax evasion charges had been brought against Shakira, but the court ultimately declared her not guilty.

Shakira had been accused of failing to pay nearly €14.5 million in taxes between 2012 and 2014 by allegedly claiming residence abroad despite living in Spain during that period.

Under Spanish law, anyone who stays in the country for more than six months is considered a tax resident for taxation purposes.

Shakira consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that most of her income during those years came from international music tours and that she spent extended periods outside Spain.

Earlier, Shakira had reached an agreement with prosecutors under which she paid a €7.5 million fine, allowing her to avoid a possible eight-year prison sentence and heavier penalties.

At the time, Shakira said she made the decision in the best interests of her children.