Spanish Court Investigates Sexual Assault Allegations Against Julio Iglesias

Investigation into Allegations Against Julio Iglesias

MADRID, Jan 13 (Reuters) - A Spanish High Court prosecutor's office said on Tuesday it was investigating allegations in Spanish and U.S. media outlets that singer Julio Iglesias sexually assaulted two former female employees.

Details of the Allegations

There was no immediate response to emails seeking comment, sent by Reuters to representatives of Iglesias, 82. The star's record label, Sony, declined to comment.

Reactions from Officials

The women, said to have worked in Iglesias' Caribbean residences in the Dominican Republic and Bahamas over a 10-month period in 2021, were cited in a three-year investigation by U.S. broadcaster Univision and Spanish outlet elDiario.es published on Tuesday.

Public Response and Impact

Both women reported suffering sexual assault and workplace harassment while working for the singer, the outlets reported. The reports said Iglesias pressured them into sexual encounters and subjected them to additional physical and verbal abuse.

The prosecutor's office said it had opened preliminary proceedings after a claim was filed on January 5. Details of the case were covered by secrecy rules that prevented it from providing further information.

Iglesias is one of the world's best-selling Latin artists, with more than 300 million records sold in 14 languages. A former aspiring soccer player, he turned to music after a 1963 car accident ended his sports career.

The allegations sparked a noisy reaction in Spain, where he is considered a national treasure.

Ana Redondo, the Socialist-led government's Equality Minister, said in a statement she respected Iglesias' presumption of innocence but that she believed the women's testimony.

"He's a great singer but people can have a dark side," she said, praising the women for raising their complaints.

Leftist party Mas Madrid suggested the right-wing government of Madrid region should strip Iglesias of the keys to the city he was awarded as the capital's most famous son. Iglesias has backed conservative political candidates in the past.

Regional president Isabel Diaz Ayuso issued a furious response on X, saying: "The Community of Madrid will never contribute to attacks on the prestige of artists, not least the most universal singer of all: Julio Iglesias."

(Reporting by Emma PinedoEditing by Aislinn Laing and Peter Graff)