Allegedly In Arrears Of IDR 219 Billion In Taxes, Shakira Is Asked To Eight Years In Prison And A Fine Of IDR 348 Billion By Spanish Prosecutors

Shakira. (Wikimedia Commons/oouinouin)

JAKARTA - Spanish prosecutors have charged Colombian superstar Shakira with eight years in prison and a fine of Rp 300 million, in the case of alleged tax arrears worth 14.5 million euros (Rp 219,952,869,590), the prosecutor's office documents showed on Friday.

The singer, who has sold more than 80 million records worldwide with hits such as 'Hips Don't Lie', earlier this week rejected a settlement offer from the prosecutor's office to close the case.

Shakira is accused of failing to pay taxes between 2012 and 2014, a period during which Shakira said she did not live in Spain.

Prosecutors' documents, seen by Reuters, confirm that Shakira lived in Spain between 2012 and 2014. In May 2012, she bought a house in Barcelona that became the family home for herself, her partner, and their son who was born in Spain in 2013.

Prosecutors are seeking an eight-year prison term and a fine of more than 23 million euros (Rp 348,890,758,660) if he is found guilty. No date for the trial has yet been set.

Asked for comment, Shakira's representative referred to an earlier statement sent on Wednesday, which said she was "completely convinced she was innocent" and that she considered the case a "total violation of her rights".

Please note, the terms of the previous settlement offer have not been disclosed.

The 45-year-old singer dubbed the Queen of Latin Pop said she initially paid 17.2 million euros which the Spanish tax office said she owed and claimed she had no debt with tax authorities.

The latest development in the tax case comes a month after Shakira and her partner, FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, announced that they would be separating. Shakira (45) and Pique (35) have been together since 2011 and have two sons.