It is not likely that he will enter prison but the shadow of prison hangs over him. Shakira because there is a possibility of that happening. It is difficult for her to end up behind bars but it is not easy for her to be acquitted either. That’s why we talk about a pact. She doesn’t want to give up; not only for money, but because it means humiliating herself, admitting her guilt and many millions (in addition to those she has already given).
The ex of Pique is facing 8 years in prison and, like everything that surrounds the Colombian, the trial that begins next week for her war with the Spanish treasury has generated global expectation: 300 national and international journalists are accredited.
After sweeping the Latin Grammy sevillanos, the artist, 46 years old, will sing in court, starting this Monday, in what could be the trial of the year. The prosecution is asking for sentences of over two years and that means she could go to prison. There is a remote chance of that happening but there is little chance of being acquitted.
Informalia has compiled the list of witnesses who will present a statement and we can affirm that at least 79 of them prove that the woman from Barranquilla resided in Spain for more days than allowed in order not to have to pay taxes here: 183 days. A total of 117 witnesses will appear. Her statements will help specify the extent to which the Colombian singer spent time in Catalonia between 2012 and 2014, a period during which she did not pay taxes in Spain despite the fact that, in the opinion of the Prosecutor’s Office, she should already be considered a tax resident.
Two doormen, six hairdressers, and up to nine neighbors of her residences in Catalonia, four Zumba teachers and two gynecologists, among many others, are in a position to swear or promise that Shakira lived in Barcelona. She is even quoted as the singer of the group Maná with whom she recorded a video.
Team Shakira: from her ex-boyfriend to her cook
In contrast to the Prosecutor’s version, the artist’s defense has provided its own evidence: 38 people, including her brother, four friends, staff at her son’s school, a manager, a producer, several assistants, a choreographer. , different members of his band, her therapist, her personal cook, and her ex-boyfriend, Antonio de la Rua: The youngest son of former Colombian president Fernando de la Rúa is a lawyer. Shakira counts among her supporters the son of the former Colombian president, with whom the singer was for ten years (from 2000 to 2010), because she held positions in several companies from which money was allegedly diverted outside of Spain. The singer’s lawyer, Pau Molins, one of the most reputable criminal lawyers in Barcelona (defender of former Barça president Sandro Rosell or Infanta Cristina) did not want to rule out the pact. In total, Shakira presents almost four dozen witnesses to prove that she was briefly in Spain.
Not only the threat of jail is at stake, because few believe that this would happen, even losing judgment and resources: the loot for the Tax Agency or for the fraudster is a lot of money: the alleged tax fraud amounts to 14.5 million euros. The alleged agreement offered by the prosecution includes admitting to six crimes and repairing the economic damage. Let us take into account that Shakira has already paid more than what was supposedly defrauded, about 17 million euros. However, their defense circles admit that signing peace has not yet been 100% ruled out: “Shuffle eat the brown one”they tell us, literally.
Some sources do defend that the prosecution is also pushing for an agreement, although this portal is not aware that this is the case. Legal experts understand that it is “complicated” for all these witnesses to testify as the Prosecutor’s Office needs for their statements to have the desired effect, that is, to convict Shakira. We have been able to find out that the public ministry is going all out. He has not offered any agreement to Shakira (another thing is that his lawyer prefers an agreement and does not rule it out). For now, what the prosecution has offered is a reduction in his request for a conviction but it is so small that, once this issue was consulted with his client, his defense has decided to go all out and go to trial.
Sources from the Prosecutor’s Office affirm that the Colombian’s former lawyers and legal advisors appeared before them at the beginning of the process, disrespecting them and “without keeping good manners,” to the point that they were invited to leave more than one office. However, Shakira herself took charge of the matter, changed offices and gave a blunt order: “Don’t agree,” she told them. That does not mean that Shakira’s new legal team has not resumed meetings with the prosecutor’s office, at least to explore her positions and the possibility and conditions of an agreement that, according to our sources, Shakira does not even want to hear about.