- Shakira faces second tax evasion charge.
- Allegedly diverted income to low-tax countries.
- Scheduled for trial in November.
The Spanish government has, for the second time, charged Colombian musical star Shakira with tax evasion.
In 2018, according to Spanish prosecutors, the singer allegedly defrauded the state of €6.7m ($7.1m, £5.8m).
Among other payments, she allegedly neglected to declare millions in advance payments for her El Dorado World Tour.
The second investigation was initiated by Spanish prosecutors in July 2023, but the details were disclosed on Tuesday.
According to RTVE, the 46-year-old singer is aware of the new allegations, but Reuters reports that her legal team in Miami. Where she currently resides, has not yet been informed.
Instead, they are “focused on preparing for the trial for the 2012-14 fiscal years, which will begin on November 20,” according to a statement provided to Reuters.
The new charges are based on the fact that Shakira resided in Barcelona in 2018 with football sensation Gerard Pique and was, therefore, required to pay taxes on all her international income there.
They contend that she instead diverted her money to “companies domiciled in countries with low taxation and high opacity.”
Shakira will be tried in Barcelona in November for six tax offences she denies.
In this case, she is accused of neglecting to pay €14.5m ($15.3m, £12.6m) in taxes between 2012 and 2014. But she has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
In a September interview with the Spanish edition of Elle magazine, she said, “I am confident that I have sufficient evidence to support my case, and that justice will prevail in my favor.”
