Shakira must appear in court in Spain for the 14.5 million euros in earnings she allegedly never reported to the Spanish tax authorities. The singer has always denied being guilty. She must now appear to tell her story.
Shakira claims she did not live in Spain from 2012 to 2014, the years covered by the charges. But according to prosecutors, she was in the country more than half the time. Therefore, she would have been required to pay taxes.
Shakira's lawyers say their client lived in the Bahamas and only moved to Spain in 2015. For its part, the Spanish judiciary claims that she did not spend a single day in her home in the Bahamas from 2012 to 2014. She allegedly left Spain only for the filming of the American The Voice.
In July, the singer received a settlement offer for an undisclosed amount, but she refused it. Should Shakira indeed be found guilty, she could face an eight-year prison sentence. Justice also demands a fine of more than 23 million euros.
Shakira is originally from Colombia but moved to Spain because of her ex-partner Gerard Piqué. He plays for FC Barcelona and the two also lived together in the Spanish city with their two children. The couple broke up last summer.
It is not yet known when the case will start.