Do we have posters with any knowledge about Spanish tax/penal/penal procedural law? Since I know nothing about it, I can only contribute something pretending this to be judged under German law (for what it may be worth):
- Voluntary tax evasion in an amount of € 4.1m would have inevitably led to Messi being actually jailed. His testimony of signin everything without reading it could be considered as gross negligence, since a diligent tax declaration is everyone's duty.
- The public prosecuter does not have to be neutral - the court must be, of course. While the connection to the Real Madrid brass might disturb some Barcelona fans, I do not see any reason for complaints - assuming that the person acted within her legal compences (which seems to be the case).
- The comparison with F. Perez in this quoted lampoon is obviously misleading, to say the least. I assume that Spain's main tax is - like in almost every comparable country - an income tax. There is no doubt that Messi, who came to Spain as a mere pauper, has built his wealth upon income alone - which may very well be taxable in Spain with 53%. Most certainly, wealth is not taxable with 53% in Spain, so of course F. Perez does not have to pay more than € 1bn per year (him having an income of € 80m/year does sound plausible to me, by the way).
- According to Transparency International, Spain is ranked the 35th least corrupt country in 2015. We may discuss about what countries should be considered "Third World", but the vast majority is ranked somewhere else...
- Spain has allowed FC Barcelona - as well as some other clubs - not to pay taxes/social security fees in an amount of several millions Euros. The EU had to force Spain to actually collect these monies. Thus I cannot understand the notion that FC Barcelona receives mistreatment in post-Franqist Spain.
- Without being religious at all, please let me refer to the Bible: Let him who is without sin cast the first stone. That rules me out - and it's not even close.
Gruß,
BSHH