Shakira criticises Spanish authorities during tax fraud case

 

After being accused of a $14 million scam, Shakira, a superstar in Latin America, has reacted angrily to her protracted legal dispute with Spain's tax officials. According to the British tabloid Metro, the Colombian singer and her legal team launched a stinging attack on the Spanish government on Friday ahead of a trial in which, if proven guilty, she could get an eight-year prison sentence.

Says Shakira "It is unacceptable that the tax authorities, in making their accusation, do not uphold the legal certainty that must be provided to every taxpayer, let alone my fundamental rights. Additionally, they are attempting to harm a reputation that has been built up over many years. My right to privacy and the presumption of innocence were violated, two fundamental freedoms guaranteed to every citizen."

She continued by alleging that the Spanish Treasury's investigation of her using unusual tactics, such as obtaining private information from hospitals where the singer had made an appointment, and that their case was a "contrived fiction."

According to Metro UK, the mother-of-two claimed that "inappropriate methods" had been employed to harm her reputation and pressure her into entering into a settlement agreement. She stressed that she would not be entering into any agreements and that she would instead go to trial. 

The Barcelona court, which has been looking into Shakira, received her legal statement of offence from her attorney, Pablo Molins Amat.

According to legal documents, Shakira declared herself a tax resident of Spain in 2015 after relocating there with her family and enrolling her son in school, according to the tabloid website tmz.com.