Singer Shakira charged with £13m tax evasion

SPANISH prosecutors are charging Shakira, the pop music star, with tax evasion, alleging she failed to pay more than €14.5 million (£13 million) between 2012 and 2014.

The charges, published yesterday, allege Shakira listed the Bahamas as her official residence for tax purposes during those years, but was in fact living in Spain with her partner Gerard Piqué, the Spanish football player.

Prosecutors in Barcelona say her travel abroad was for short periods because of professional commitments, while most of the year she was in Spain. They want her to pay tax in Spain on her worldwide income.

A magistrate will assess whether there is enough evidence to put Shakira on trial.

The Colombian singer officially moved to Spain for tax purposes in 2015, after having two children by Piqué.