Shakira charged with $16 million tax evasion in Spain

Shakira has been charged with tax evasion in Spain, where prosecutors allege the international pop star failed to pay more than $16m (£12.7m) between 2012 and 2014.

The charges claim Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, listed the Bahamas as her official residence for tax purposes during those years but was in fact living in Spain with her partner, Spanish football player Gerard Pique.

Tax rates are much lower in the Bahamas – where Shakira co-purchased an island in 2011, the year before she claimed on taxes to have lived in the Caribbean. The singer has denied the charges against her.

Shakira was named in the “Paradise Papers” leaks that detailed the offshore tax arrangements of numerous high-profile individuals, including musical celebrities like Madonna and U2′s Bono.

In a statement released through her representatives Friday, Shakira said she was not a legal resident in Spain during the years in question.

She claimed to owe nothing to the Spanish tax authorities, who she said were using her “as a scapegoat” to frighten other taxpayers into coming clean.

Prosecutors in Barcelona have said Shakira’s travel abroad was for short periods because of professional commitments, while most of the year she stayed in Spain. They want her to pay tax in Spain on her worldwide income.

Shakira officially moved to Spain for tax purposes in 2015, after having two children by Mr Pique.

A magistrate must now assess whether there is enough evidence to put Shakira on trial.

Prosecutors want Shakira to pay a bond that equals the amount they say she owes in tax, plus 33 per cent, in accordance with Spanish law. Otherwise, they recommend a court freeze of her assets to that amount.

Spain’s tax authorities referred their probe to the Barcelona prosecutor’s office a year ago.

Sports celebrities have also been in trouble with Spanish tax authorities, including football players Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Additional reporting by AP