MADRID, Spain – Spanish judicial authorities have received a criminal complaint containing grave allegations against veteran singer Julio Iglesias, marking a significant development in the growing scrutiny of powerful entertainment figures. Two former employees have accused the Grammy-winning artist of human trafficking and sexual crimes through advocacy organizations Women’s Link Worldwide and Amnesty International.
The complainants, identified as a domestic worker and a physiotherapist, allege they endured systematic abuse while employed at Iglesias’s residential properties in the Dominican Republic and Bahamas during 2021. Their formal submission to Spanish prosecutors on January 5 outlines patterns of treatment that legal experts suggest could constitute “human trafficking for forced labor” and violations of “sexual freedom rights.
According to documented testimony, the women experienced sexual harassment, constant surveillance of their mobile devices, severe restriction of movement preventing them from leaving their workplace, and exhausting work schedules extending to 16-hour days without designated rest periods. One accuser, Rebeca from the Dominican Republic who was 22 during the alleged incidents, stated she came forward both to pursue justice and empower other potential victims.
“I want to tell them to be strong, to raise their voices, to remember he is not invincible,” Rebeca declared in a statement released through Women’s Link.
The allegations initially surfaced through a collaborative investigation published by U.S. broadcaster Univision and Spanish digital outlet elDiario.es. While judicial sources confirmed receipt of the complaint to AFP, they provided no additional details regarding potential proceedings.
Iglesias, now 82 and among history’s most commercially successful Latin artists with over 300 million records sold, has maintained public silence regarding these accusations. The claims have generated substantial reaction in Spain where the singer has long been regarded as a cultural icon.
Spain’s Equality Minister Ana Redondo has demanded “a full investigation” into the matter, while Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz characterized the accounts as “chilling testimonies.” The political response revealed divided perspectives, with conservative opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo—who previously described Iglesias as a friend and advisor—expressing profound surprise while urging restraint against speculation pending factual clarification.
The case emerges within a broader context of misconduct allegations against entertainment industry figures, including high-profile cases involving Bill Cosby, Gérard Depardieu, and Harvey Weinstein that gained momentum through the #MeToo movement. Iglesias’s carefully cultivated “Latin lover” persona, frequently referenced in historical interviews discussing his romantic life, adds complex dimensions to the current allegations.
Former manager Fernan Martínez offered limited commentary, describing Iglesias as “very affectionate” and appreciative of “physical contact” while asserting he never witnessed aggressive behavior. The unfolding situation continues to develop as Spanish authorities determine subsequent investigative steps.