Shakira: the prosecutor requests eight years in prison for a star for tax evasion

Image source, Reuters< p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">Spanish prosecutors seek eight years in prison and 2 4 million euros (£20 million) fine for Shakira for alleged tax evasion.

The Colombian singer is accused of failing to pay €14.5m (£12m) in tax between 2012 and 2014.

Earlier this week, Shakira turned down an offer to settle and close the case. A trial date has not yet been set.

A statement from Shakira's representatives said she was "fully convinced of her innocence" and considers the case a "violation of her rights".

The star was charged with tax evasion in 2018. Prosecutors said she lived in Spain between 2012 and 2014 while listing her official residence elsewhere .

People who spend more than six months in the country are considered residents for tax purposes. But Shakira says she was not primarily living in Spain at the time.

Document from prosecutors seen by Reuters claims Shakira bought a house in Barcelona in 2012, which became a family home for her and her then partner, Barcelona footballer Gerard Pique.

He is asking for an eight-year sentence jail and €23.8 (£20m) fine if the singer is found guilty.

The terms of the earlier settlement offer she rejected are not known. Shakira said she had repaid the money she owed authorities, plus interest.

Officials demanded a tax bill on all his worldwide income during the relevant period, not just those generated in Spain.

She declared Spain to be her tax residence in 2015.