The Asociación de Inspectores de Hacienda del Estado issued a statement on Monday responding to criticism after the Audiencia Nacional absolved Shakira in the 2011 tax fraud case.
The ruling requires the public treasury to return more than 60 million euros to the Colombian singer. The inspectors reject accusations that portray them as adversaries of taxpayers.
In the statement, the IHE says the criticisms lack rigor and have crossed the limits of what is reasonable. They note that their goal is to apply the law with rigor and equity.
Lawyer Robert Amsterdam accused the Agencia Tributaria of acting like a mafia. The association responds that such disqualifications favor those who evade tax obligations.
The Agencia Tributaria plans to appeal the decision to the Tribunal Supremo. Shakira stated that the ruling sets a precedent to protect anonymous citizens.
