Spanish prosecutors are currently examining allegations of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and human trafficking against singer Julio Iglesias. The complaints, filed by two former employees who worked at his residences in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas, detail alleged incidents occurring between January and October 2021. The investigation involves Spain's National Court, which has jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed by Spanish citizens abroad.
Investigation Overview
The Spanish prosecutors' office confirmed it received formal allegations against Iglesias on January 5 from an unnamed party. These allegations align with earlier media reports. Women's Link Worldwide, a non-governmental organization, is representing the two women who filed the complaint.
Jovana RÃos Cisneros, executive director of Women's Link Worldwide, indicated that prosecutors plan to take statements from the two women and have granted them protected witness status. Prosecutors have a period of up to six months, extendable to a year, to assess whether the information warrants a criminal prosecution.
Nature of Allegations
The complaint accuses Iglesias of "crimes against sexual freedom and indemnity such as sexual harassment" and "human trafficking for the purpose of forced labor and servitude." The women's testimony includes accusations that Iglesias:
- Regularly checked their cellphones.
- Prohibited them from leaving their workplace.
- Demanded work up to 16 hours daily without contracts or days off.
Women's Link Worldwide has stated that Spanish legislation pertaining to sexual violence, gender-based violence, and trafficking could offer a suitable legal path for the complainants.
Responses and Wider Context
Julio Iglesias has not publicly commented on the allegations. His Miami-based entertainment lawyer, Russell L. King, has not responded to media inquiries regarding the matter.
The allegations were initially investigated and published jointly by the Spanish online newspaper elDiario.es and the Spanish-language television channel Univision Noticias.
In response to the reports, Spanish government spokeswoman Elma Saiz affirmed the government's commitment to addressing violence and aggression against women, stating that the media reports "demanded respect." Spain's Culture Minister, Ernest Urtasun, is evaluating whether to strip Iglesias of the state's Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts, an honor he received in 2010, in light of what Urtasun described as a "serious case."
Background
Julio Iglesias, 82, is a successful musical artist known for selling over 300 million records globally. He is also the father of pop singer Enrique Iglesias.