Shakira ordered to appear in Spanish court over £12m tax evasion charges

Shakira will appear in a Barcelona court in June

Colombian pop star Shakira has been ordered to appear in a Spanish court for allegedly evading tax in the country, despite her official residence being in Panama.

Prosecutors charged the singer in December with evading €14.5m (£12.5m) of tax between 2012 and 2014, as well as alleging that she hid her income through 14 companies based in tax havens.

She has now been summoned to a Barcelona court on 12 June to give evidence, according to newly published court papers.

The singer denies all the accusations and her Spanish representatives say she has settled all her debts with tax authorities. She has appeared at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

They previously claimed she did not live in Spain until 2015. Shakira, 42, is known for hits such as Whenever, Wherever and Hips Don’t Lie – as well as various charity endeavours, including being recognised by the United Nations. She has appeared at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The Colombian, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, lives in Barcelona with her husband Gerard Pique, who plays football for Barcelona and Spain, and their children.

Her husband’s teammate Lionel Messi was found guilty of tax fraud in 2016 and was fined €250,000 (£215,500) on top of the unpaid tax, plus interest.

Last month, another Spain-based football star, Cristiano Ronaldo, accepted a £17m fine and a suspended two-year jail sentence following allegations of tax evasion. – skynews.com