Shakira feels “violated” by the Spanish tax authorities accusing her of a £12 million fraud.

The singer and her authorized workforce hit out in statements launched on Friday (25.11.22) forward of a trial that might see her sentenced to eight years in jail if discovered responsible.

Shakira, 45, stated: “It is unacceptable that in its accusation the tax authorities are not respecting the legal certainty that must be guaranteed to any taxpayer, not my fundamental rights.

“As well as that they are trying to damage a reputation earned with the work of many years… in my case they have violated my right to privacy and the presumption of innocence, basic rights of any citizen.”

She added unorthodox strategies have been utilized by the Spanish Treasury of their investigation towards her, resembling requesting non-public information from hospitals the place the singer requested an appointment, and stated their case was a part of a “contrived story”.

The mum-of-two added “unacceptable methods” had been used to wreck her fame and power her to return to a settlement settlement, and insisted she wouldn’t be making any offers and would face trial.

Shakira’s lawyer Pablo Molins Amat introduced her authorized assertion of offence to the Barcelona courtroom which has been investigating her.

The singer, who shares sons Milan, 9, and Sasha, seven together with her former footballer ex Gerard Piqué, 35, has already paid a six-figure sum with curiosity the Spanish taxman claims she defrauded.

But in addition to an eight-year jail sentence, state prosecutors need Shakira – born Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll – to be slapped with a £19.2 million high quality if she is convicted as charged.

She is accused of pretending to stay overseas and utilizing an offshore company accounts construction to keep away from assembly tax obligations from 2012 to 2014.

A press release launched on Friday (25.11.22) by Barcelona-based LLYC, and authorised by Shakira, additionally stated concerning the case: “Shakira is a taxpayer who has always shown impeccable tax conduct and has never had tax problems in any other jurisdiction.

“The singer relied on top advisors such as PriceWaterhouseCoopers. She never exceeded the 183 days of presence in Spain required to be a tax resident.

“With no solid evidence to support the charges against her, she has been fiercely persecuted in the criminal and media spheres using unacceptable methods to damage her reputation and force her to come to a settlement agreement.

“Shakira has already paid more than 90 million euros for international income that has not been generated in Spain and for her international assets, without having a business centre in this country where she has never earned a significant income… Shakira wishes to express her absolute confidence in the independence of the Spanish justice system and her firm conviction that, after the trial, her full innocence will prevail.”