Pop superstar Shakira has accused Spanish authorities of “burning her at the stake” after settling a $15 million tax fraud case last year.
“What was most frustrating was that state institutions seemed more interested in publicly burning me at the stake than listening to my reasons. Now, I think it's time to fight back,” Shakira wrote in the letter. Published Spanish Newspapers El Mundo.
The Colombian pop star, who denies any wrongdoing, said he agreed to settle the tax evasion case and pay a $7.5 million fine to “protect” his two sons.
“I want to leave my children with the legacy of a woman who calmly explained her reasons in her own time, not when she was forced to, but when she felt it was necessary,” Shakira wrote. “I want them to know that I made decisions to protect them, to be there for them, and to get on with my life, not out of cowardice or guilt.”
The “Hips Don't Lie” singer went on to accuse Spanish authorities of “trying to make people believe that I don't pay tax, when in reality I pay much more than I should.”
Shakira said that when she decided to live in Spain in 2015, authorities “immediately tried to ask for the taxes of the past 10 years.”
“What seemed like a polite way to formalize my situation turned out to be a trap,” the singer wrote. “Someone who spends time touring the world is not going to become a tax resident in a place just because the person they're dating at the time lives there.”
The “Whenever, Wherever” singer also accused Spanish authorities of wanting “the loot” to restore credit, claiming they have done so by “blackmailing people, threatening them with imprisonment, endangering the peace of mind of our children and applying pressure that will destroy us.”
“Some may wonder why I am making this statement now,” she wrote. “The first reason is my children. We live in a time of national arrogance, but bullying is not the same as giving reasons.”
“Burning one famous person at the stake every year like an inquisition to reclaim lost fame won't solve the problem,” Shakira added. “No one is going to write my story for me. Just like my songs, I sing to turn the page, to live in peace again.”
Spanish prosecutors had accused Shakira of failing to pay 6.7 million euros ($7.2 million) in tax on her 2018 income, but the charges were later dropped in May.
Shakira settled a separate tax evasion court battle with Spanish authorities in November last year after being accused of failing to pay 14.5 million euros ($15.4 million) in taxes while living in Barcelona from 2012 to 2014.
Before his legal battle was resolved, the pop star was facing eight years in prison and more than $26 million in fines.
Alana Mastangelo is a reporter for Breitbart News. Follow her at Facebook And X is Follow,and Instagram.
