State Attorney and the November Hearing in Barcelona
In a case scheduled to unfold in November at the Barcelona Court, the State Attorney opted not to question 51 of more than 140 witnesses he had proposed. The aim behind this strategic move was to avoid jeopardizing a potential agreement. Legal sources consulted by EL PERIÓDICO, part of the Prensa Ibérica group, report that Shakira is accused of defrauding the Treasury by about 14.5 million euros. Most witnesses who will not enter the courtroom are neighbors and acquaintances of the Barranquilla artist, as she shared a home with former FC Barcelona footballer Gerard Piqué for a time.
Judge Jose Manuel Del Amo Sanchez, the prosecutor who previously handled Neymar’s case, met with the prosecution, defense, and the State Attorney General’s Office in the weeks leading up to the hearing. The purpose of that meeting was to map out the approach to the Shakira case, officially identified as Isabel Mebarak. The Italian Ripoll, currently visiting Barcelona and living in Miami with his children after parting ways with Piqué, also attended. During the encounter, Shakira’s lawyers indicated the singer was willing to travel to Barcelona for the hearing, though the judge left open the possibility that she might join only for specific portions of her testimony. That stance remained the final word at that moment.
During the discussions, the togado presented a list of more than 200 witnesses and weighed whether every request was necessary to support the prosecution’s case against Shakira. The defense argued that a careful review of the list could trim the number. The prosecution pledged that the witnesses already requested would be sufficient to sustain their position and that efforts would be made to reduce the State’s list. Despite these assurances, the total remains substantial.
X-ray of the day
Forensic experts say it was predictable that the proceedings would delve into details of Shakira’s time in Spain, especially if no prior agreement had been reached. The discussion would likely address whether her presence in the Catalan capital was on a specific day, a week, or a particular period. The tax authority’s scrutiny of the artist’s expenses is a key element guiding the prosecution. This explains the high number of witnesses sought by both sides.
The prosecution maintains that Shakira spent more than 183 days in Spain each year between 2012 and 2014. This figure is crucial because habitual residence affects tax obligations under Spanish law. The defense challenges these calculations and seeks acquittal. Last year in July, Shakira rejected a proposed agreement with the prosecutor’s office to avoid trial, but developments could alter shortly before the hearing, which is set to begin on November 20 and continue through multiple sessions.
The indictment seeks a substantial prison term and a heavy fine for Shakira’s alleged tax avoidance between 2012 and 2014. The state contends she arranged her affairs with the Treasury and paid additional amounts to settle her taxes. The prosecution argues that a measure reducing the overall criminal claim is applicable, acknowledging the need to offset any legitimate taxes already paid.
In this context, the ongoing legal process centers on whether Shakira complied with tax obligations related to 14.5 million euros allegedly owed to the Treasury. The case hinges on assessments of residency, the timing of stays in Spain, and the corresponding tax duties. The defense maintains that the calculations should not lead to a conviction, while the prosecution positions a robust case for accountability based on documented expenditures and residency periods. The situation remains dynamic as the November proceedings approach, with potential shifts depending on agreements or new developments in the courtroom dynamics.