Shakira agrees to go to trial in Spain for alleged tax fraud

Colombian pop singer Shakira has decided to go to trial in relation to allegations that she defrauded Spain's government of 14.5 million euros in taxes.

The 45-year-old rejected a deal offered by Spanish prosecutors to settle the tax dispute.

Representatives for the Hips Don't Lie singer said she trusts her innocence and chooses to leave the issue in the hands of the law.

Shakira was charged in 2018 with failing to pay 14.5 million euros in taxes on income earned between 2012 and 2014.

The case surrounds her residence at the time, which prosecutors allege was mostly in Spain; the singer insists her official residence was in the Bahamas.

She faces a possible fine and prison sentence if found guilty of tax evasion.