After maintaining her innocence for nearly five years, pop star Shakira reached a last-minute agreement to avoid the risk of imprisonment on the opening day of her tax fraud trial in Barcelona on Monday.

Shakira informed the presiding magistrate, José Manuel del Amo, that she accepted the deal struck with prosecutors, acknowledging six counts of failing to pay the Spanish government 14.5 million euros (approximately $15.8 million) in taxes between 2012 and 2014.

As per the agreement, Shakira will receive a suspended three-year sentence and a fine of 7 million euros ($7.6 million). The trial, initially expected to include over 100 witnesses over the following weeks, was abruptly halted after just eight minutes.

In July, prosecutors had announced their intention to seek an eight-year and two-month prison sentence along with a 24 million euro ($26 million) fine for the globally acclaimed singer, known for her hits in Spanish and English across various musical genres.

In a statement released by her public relations firm, Shakira expressed her desire to fight on but emphasized prioritizing her family, career, and peace of mind.

“I have made the decision to finally resolve this matter with the best interest of my kids at heart, who do not want to see their mom sacrifice her personal well-being in this fight,” she said. “I need to move past the stress and emotional toll of the last several years and focus on the things I love, my kids, and all the opportunities to come in my career.”

The case centered on Shakira’s residence during that period when prosecutors argued that she spent over half of it in Spain and should have paid taxes on her global income in the country, despite her official residence still being in the Bahamas, where tax rates are significantly lower.

Before entering the courthouse, Shakira waved and blew a kiss to a small crowd of onlookers. While seated in front of the panel of judges, she was flanked by prosecution and defense teams.

“This has been a difficult decision that took time to reach,” said defense lawyer Miriam Company. “Her legal team had prepared the trial and were convinced we could demonstrate her innocence, but the circumstances changed, and (Shakira) opted to accept the deal.”

Shakira had rejected a deal offered by prosecutors in July 2022, asserting her belief in her innocence. She was named in the “Paradise Papers” leaks, revealing offshore tax arrangements of various high-profile individuals.

Shakira’s defense team previously stated that she had paid all owed taxes and an additional 3 million euros (about $3.2 million) in interest. The defense argued that she had not spent more than 60 days a year in Spain during the period, a requirement for fiscal residency.

Spanish prosecutors disagreed, and investigating judge Marco Juberías, in 2021, found “sufficient evidence of criminality,” leading to the trial. Shakira maintained her innocence during questioning by Juberías in 2019.

Taylor Swift has chosen to postpone a concert in Rio de Janeiro after a 23-year-old fan passed away during her Friday night performance. The singer shared the news on her Instagram, explaining that extreme temperatures in Rio prompted the decision, prioritizing the safety and well-being of fans, performers, and crew.

The cause of the fan’s death, Ana Clara Benevides Machado, who sought medical attention during the show, has not been disclosed. The public prosecutor’s office in Rio has initiated a criminal investigation, and Benevides’ body is undergoing examination.

Benevides’ passing has deeply affected many in Brazil, as she had embarked on her first flight to Rio from the country’s center-west region to attend the concert. She documented her journey through a WhatsApp group, sharing photos and videos with her family.

Fans and officials expressed outrage, speculating that the death could be linked to extreme heat. Concertgoers complained about not being allowed to bring water into the stadium, despite the oppressive weather. Federal authorities later announced the availability of free water at concerts and large events.

Swift, in a previous statement, expressed a “shattered heart” and described the young woman as “incredibly beautiful and far too young.” The concert’s organizer, Time4Fun, stated that paramedics attended to Benevides, taking her to a first-aid center and subsequently to a hospital, where she passed away.

Witnesses reported challenging conditions inside the stadium, with apparent temperatures reaching record highs. Swift paused her performance to request water for fans, and concertgoers mentioned seeing distressed individuals and hearing calls for water.

Benevides, in videos before the concert, shared her excitement about attending and waiting in line for hours in the sun, echoing the experiences of thousands of fans.

The tragic incident has led to calls for increased safety measures at future events, including the allowance of personal water bottles and improved medical resources. Despite the postponement, Swift expressed her grief on Instagram and refrained from addressing the incident from the stage.