Shakira reaches deal over Spanish tax fraud case

 Shakira reaches deal over Spanish tax fraud case

BARCELONA: In order to resolve her tax fraud case and avoid going to trial, Colombian diva Shakira and Spanish prosecutors announced a settlement on Monday that includes millions of euros in fines.

Shakira refuted the accusations made by the prosecution, stating she only relocated to Spain permanently in 2015. The celebrity was accused of cheating the Spanish state of around 14.5 million euros ($15.7 million) on revenue obtained between 2012 and 2014.

Shakira agreed to pay a fine of 7.33 million euros ($7.98 million), which is equivalent to 50% of the unpaid tax, and to receive a three-year suspended sentence as part of the agreement, which was revealed at the beginning of the 46-year-old singer's trial.

The singer of "Hips Don't Lie" will also have to pay an additional 432,000 euros in fines in order to have her jail term suspended; this would make her total obligation to pay to about 7.8 million euros. Shakira greeted a small group of onlookers with a wave and a kiss while sporting a pink suit and sunglasses before making her way into the Barcelona courtroom.