Shakiri will go on trial for tax fraud on November 20

The court in Barcelona will try the Colombian singer Shakira, accused of defrauding 14.5 million euros between 2012 and 2014, in a process that will last twelve hearings and where a list of about 200 witnesses was initially planned.

According to legal sources, the sixth department of the court in Barcelona passed a resolution setting the dates for November 20, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30 and 4, 5, 11, 12, 13. and November 14. December for Shakira’s trial, dates that are subject to possible last-minute schedule changes.

The trial could also be shortened to artistwhich the Prosecutor’s Office is looking for eight years and two months in prison for four crimes against the public treasuryif he settles with the charges at the last minute – the Public service and public Attorney– accept a reduced sentence in exchange for admitting fraud.

Many of the parties’ witnesses

The reason why twelve hearings were scheduled for the trial against Isabel Mebarak Shakira is a large number witnesses the parties proposed: about a hundred from the State Attorney’s Office, about 30 from the Prosecutor’s Office and 60 from the defense.

The president of the panel, José Manuel del Amo, asked the parties if it would be possible to reduce the number of proposed witnesses, which accusations and defense They are willing to learn to speed up the trial.

Del Amo also suggested that Shakira, who has been living in Miami since earlier this month following her split from the former FC Barcelona player, Gerard Piqueattend the trial only at the session for which your hearing is scheduled statement and on the last day of the oral hearing, where the defendant has the right to make a closing statement.

In fact, this is the same judge who last October allowed soccer player Neymar da Silva to miss the trial due to alleged irregularities in his transfer to Barça, with the exception of the day of the declaration and the final hearing, so that he could return to France, where he plays for Paris Saint Germain.

The prosecution is asking for 8 years and 2 months in prison

The Prosecutor’s office in Barcelona He is seeking eight years and two months in prison and a fine of 23.8 million for the singer, whom he accuses of six criminal offenses against the state treasury because he defrauded 14.5 million euros between 2012 and 2014, pretending that he did not reside in Spain.

On the contrary, her defense claims that she established her residence in Spain only in 2014 and emphasizes that since 2011 the singer has paid more than 104 million euros taxes Worldwide.

Last June, the Colombian artist rejected the prosecution’s offer to reach a plea deal that would reduce the sentences and avoid a trial, which does not prevent her defending himself may continue to negotiate a plea deal in the coming months, which should be formalized in a brief trial in a court in Barcelona.