Spanish prosecutors have dismissed an investigation into sexual abuse and human trafficking complaints filed against singer Julio Iglesias. The ruling stated that Spanish courts lacked jurisdiction to investigate alleged crimes committed abroad, particularly concerning complainants who were not Spanish citizens or residents and had not traveled to Spain with the artist. The complaints were made by two former female employees regarding alleged incidents at Iglesias's residences in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas in 2021.
Investigation Dismissed on Jurisdictional Grounds
The decision by Spanish prosecutors concluded an examination into allegations against Julio Iglesias. The primary reason for the dismissal was the determination that Spanish courts were not competent to pursue alleged crimes committed outside of Spain under the specific circumstances of the complainants not being Spanish citizens or residents and not having been in Spain with Iglesias.
Overview of Allegations
Two former female employees, identified as a domestic worker and a physiotherapist, had filed complaints alleging sexual assault, sexual harassment, and human trafficking. These allegations pertained to their employment at Iglesias's properties in the Bahamas and Dominican Republic between January and October 2021. The women claimed they experienced abuse in a coercive, threatening, and violent environment.
Specific accusations included Iglesias regularly checking their cellphones, prohibiting them from leaving their workplace, and demanding work up to 16 hours daily without contracts or days off. Women's Link Worldwide, a non-governmental organization representing the women, stated that the alleged acts could constitute "crimes against sexual freedom and indemnity such as sexual harassment" and "human trafficking for the purpose of forced labor and servitude." The organization described the complainants as young Latin American women in vulnerable situations.
Julio Iglesias's Response
Julio Iglesias, 82, denied the allegations. In a statement on Instagram, he said, "I deny having abused, coerced, or disrespected any woman. These accusations are absolutely false and deeply sadden me." His Miami-based entertainment lawyer, Russell L. King, did not immediately respond to earlier media inquiries.
Background and Context
Formal allegations against Iglesias were received by the Spanish prosecutors' office on January 5, aligning with initial media reports from Spanish online newspaper elDiario.es and Spanish-language television channel Univision Noticias. Spain's National Court, based in Madrid, typically has the jurisdiction to try alleged crimes committed by Spanish citizens abroad.
During the initial phase of the investigation, Women's Link Worldwide and Amnesty International supported the complainants. The executive director of Women's Link Worldwide, Jovana Ríos Cisneros, had indicated that prosecutors planned to take statements from the women and had granted them protected witness status. At the time, prosecutors were expected to have a period of up to six months, potentially extended to a year, to assess whether the information warranted criminal prosecution.
The Spanish government's spokeswoman, Elma Saiz, had affirmed the government's commitment to addressing violence against women. Spain's Culture Minister, Ernest Urtasun, was evaluating whether to strip Iglesias of the state's Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts, awarded in 2010, in light of the initial media reports.
Julio Iglesias is a prominent musical artist, known for selling over 300 million records globally and as the father of pop singer Enrique Iglesias.