A High Court in Madrid acquitted Colombian pop star Shakira of tax fraud charges stemming from a 2011 case on Monday [1, 2, 3].
The ruling concludes a years-long legal battle that saw the singer pay millions in fines to avoid prison, while raising questions about the Spanish government's pursuit of high-profile international celebrities.
The court found that no fraud occurred and ruled that the fines previously imposed on the singer were wrongly applied [1, 2, 3]. As a result, the Spanish government has been ordered to refund the 55 million euros [1, 4] originally imposed in 2021 [1]. Depending on the exchange rate, reports estimate this refund to be between $64 million [5] and $70 million [6].
Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, spoke on the decision following the verdict. "There was never any fraud," she said [6].
The singer described the legal process as an ordeal that affected her personal life and public image. "The ruling comes after years of brutal public targeting, orchestrated campaigns to destroy my reputation, and sleepless nights," she said [6].
Shakira also expressed hope that the decision would have a broader impact on the Spanish legal system. She said, "I hope my case will set a precedent for the thousands of ordinary citizens who are abused and crushed every day by a system that presumes their guilt" [7].
The 2011 case centered on whether the singer was a legal resident of Spain during the period in question, a distinction that determines tax liability for global earnings [1, 2]. The court's decision to acquit her suggests the prosecution failed to prove she intentionally evaded her tax obligations through fraudulent means [3].
“"There was never any fraud."”
This acquittal represents a significant victory for Shakira and a potential embarrassment for the Spanish treasury. By ordering the refund of 55 million euros, the court has not only cleared the singer of criminal intent but has also acknowledged a failure in the initial imposition of fines. This may lead to increased scrutiny of how the Spanish government targets wealthy foreign residents for tax discrepancies.
