One of Spain’s most celebrated cultural figures is now bracing for a legal fight after serious allegations made by two former employees sent shockwaves through the country’s media and political landscape.
Veteran singer Julio Iglesias is reportedly preparing his defence following claims of sexual abuse and human trafficking that emerged this week.
The allegations, first revealed by Spanish outlet elDiario.es and US broadcaster Univision, involve a domestic worker and a physiotherapist who were employed at properties linked to Iglesias in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas in 2021. According to advocacy organisations Women’s Link Worldwide and Amnesty International, a complaint submitted to Spanish prosecutors on January 5 details alleged conduct that could amount to human trafficking for forced labour and crimes against sexual freedom, as per The Guardian.
The women claim they were subjected to sexual harassment, had their movements closely monitored, and were prevented from freely leaving the residences where they worked. Testimony gathered by the two organisations further alleges their mobile phones were routinely checked and that they were required to work shifts of up to 16 hours a day without rest days.
Celebrity magazine Hola! reported that Iglesias, now 82, is actively preparing his response to the accusations. While the Grammy-winning artist has not made any public statement, the magazine said it spoke to him by phone, during which he expressed confidence that the truth would emerge and the situation would eventually be clarified. No direct quotes were published from the exchange.
According to Hola!, Iglesias is determined to remove any doubt surrounding the allegations, with the publication citing a long-standing personal relationship as the reason it secured the exclusive insight. The singer’s close circle has privately rejected the claims and expressed shock at the situation, the magazine added.
Women’s Link executive director Jovana Rios Cisnero confirmed that the complainants are expected to testify before public prosecutors at a later stage, describing the move as a crucial step toward justice. Legal director for Europe Gema Fernandez explained that Spain was chosen as the jurisdiction despite the alleged incidents occurring abroad, noting that Spanish laws on gender-based violence and trafficking could offer a viable legal route.
The claims have triggered strong reactions across Spain. Members of the left-wing government have voiced support for the women and called for a full investigation. Conservative opposition leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo, a personal friend of Iglesias, said he was deeply surprised by the accusations but cautioned against rushing to conclusions.
Adding to the debate, Iglesias’s former manager Fernán Martínez described the singer as affectionate and comfortable with physical closeness, while insisting he never witnessed any aggressive behaviour.
The controversy has cast a shadow over the career of an artist who has sold more than 300 million records worldwide. Advocacy groups note that the case comes amid a broader reckoning in the entertainment industry, where the #MeToo movement has amplified long-suppressed claims and exposed patterns of alleged abuse by powerful figures.
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