Prosecutors in Spain said Friday they will ask the court to sentence Colombian pop star Shakira to eight years and two months in prison if she is found guilty at her expected trial on tax fraud charges.
Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, is accused of failing to pay 14.5 million euros ($15 million) in taxes to the Spanish government between 2012 and 2014. Prosecutors said they would also seek a fine of 24 million euros ($24 million). )
The complaint details six allegations against Shakira. The singer rejected a settlement deal offered by prosecutors this week, opting instead to go to trial. A trial date has yet to be set.
Her publicists in London said in a statement Friday that Shakira "has always cooperated and obeyed the law, demonstrating impeccable behavior as an individual and as a taxpayer." The campaigners accused the Spanish tax agency of violating his rights.
Shakira's Spanish PR team said earlier this week that the artist has deposited the amount owed to her, including 3 million euros in interest.
Prosecutors in Barcelona alleged that the Grammy winner spent more than half of each year in Spain between 2012 and 2014 and should have paid taxes in the country.
Shakira recently ended an 11-year long relationship with FC Barcelona star Gerard Pique, with whom she has two children. The family lived in Barcelona.