Two former employees have filed a criminal complaint accusing Julio Iglesias of human trafficking, forced labour and sexual crimes related to alleged incidents at his properties in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas in 2021. The complaint, filed with Spanish prosecutors on January 5, was presented by Women's Link Worldwide and Amnesty International and first reported by Univision and elDiario.es. One accuser, identified as Rebeca (22 at the time), urged others to speak out. Spain's Equality Minister has called for a full investigation; Iglesias has not publicly responded.
Julio Iglesias Accused of Human Trafficking, Forced Labour and Sexual Abuse — Former Staff File Criminal Complaint
Accused: Spanish singer Julio Iglesias (Ronaldo SCHEMIDT)(Ronaldo SCHEMIDT/AFP/AFP)
Two former employees have filed a criminal complaint accusing veteran Spanish singer Julio Iglesias of human trafficking, forced labour and a range of sexual crimes, advocacy groups said. The complaint, lodged with Spanish prosecutors on January 5, was presented by Women's Link Worldwide and Amnesty International.
What the complaint alleges
The women say they endured sexual and other forms of abuse while working at Iglesias's properties in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas in 2021. According to testimony collected by the two organisations, alleged conduct includes sexual harassment, frequent inspections of the workers' mobile phones, restrictions on their ability to leave the homes where they worked, and being required to work up to 16 hours a day without days off.
'I want to tell them to be strong, to raise their voices, to remember he is not invincible,' said one of the complainants, identified only as Rebeca, who was 22 at the time of the alleged incidents, according to Women's Link.
Reporting and official reaction
The allegations were first made public in an investigation published by US network Univision and Spanish outlet elDiario.es. Spain's Equality Minister Ana Redondo has called for a full investigation into the claims. Iglesias, 82, has not issued a public response to the complaint.
Background
Julio Iglesias is one of the most commercially successful Latin artists in history, known for romantic ballads and major hits in the 1970s and 1980s. The complaint describes alleged criminal conduct but the accusations have not been proven in court.
Note: The information above reflects allegations contained in the complaint and reporting by the named organisations and media outlets. The legal process and any official findings will determine responsibility.
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