Julio Iglesias Photo: Ronaldo SCHEMIDT / AFP / Profimedia
Prosecutors at Spain's High Court have dropped the preliminary investigation into Julio Iglesias, saying the court has no jurisdiction in the case because the alleged crimes were committed abroad and the accusers are not Spanish or residents of the country, reports Reuters.
On January 5, Women's Link Worldwide filed a complaint accusing the Spanish singer of sexually harassing and assaulting Laura and Rebeca (pseudonyms), then 22 and 28, respectively, and also subjecting them to abusive working conditions at his residences in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas, where they worked for 10 months in 2021.
The complaint alleged acts “likely to constitute a crime of human trafficking for the purpose of imposing forced labor and servitude”, “violations of sexual freedom and integrity, such as sexual harassment”, as well as a crime of bodily harm and violations of labor rights, the organizations Women's Link Worldwide and Amnesty International stated.
According to the document seen by Reuters, prosecutors said the High Court could not try Iglesias because the alleged crimes were committed in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas, but said a prosecution could be initiated in those two countries. In addition, prosecutors also cited the fact that the alleged victims are not Spanish or residents of Spain.
Julio Iglesias has denied the allegations
In a public message sent on social networks on January 16, Julio Iglesias denied that he had committed any of the acts complained of by the two former employees.
“I deny that I have abused, coerced or offended any woman. These allegations are absolutely false and I am deeply saddened,” the singer said.
“I have never felt such evil, but I still have the strength to make the truth known and to defend my dignity in the face of such a serious accusation,” the artist said.
“I cannot forget so many dear people who sent me messages of affection and loyalty; I found much comfort in them,” Iglesias concluded in his message, which ended with a reproduction of his signature.
