Spanish Court Acquits Shakira in Tax Fraud Case

The Colombian superstar, Shakira, has been acquitted by a Spanish court in a tax fraud case that dates back to the 2011 tax year. According to a court document seen by The Associated Press on Monday, the court has ordered the government to return more than 55 million euros, equivalent to $64 million, in wrongly imposed fines and interest.

The Madrid-based court explained that Spanish tax authorities failed to prove Shakira was a resident of Spain during 2011. To be considered a tax resident, an individual must spend over 183 days in the country. Authorities could only establish that Shakira lived in Spain for 163 days that year.

The case is part of ongoing tax-related scrutiny in Spain, where authorities have focused on high-profile individuals, including famous soccer players. Prominent athletes like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been found guilty of tax evasion. However, they avoided prison due to a provision that allows judges to waive sentences under two years for first-time offenders.