Spain opens probe into sexual assault allegations against Julio Iglesias

MADRID: Spain’s High Court prosecutor’s office has opened an inquiry into allegations that singer Julio Iglesias sexually assaulted two former female employees, media reports said on Tuesday.

The allegations, first reported by Univision in the US and Spain’s elDiario.es, claim that the women, who worked at Iglesias’ Caribbean residences in the Dominican Republic and Bahamas during a 10-month period in 2021, were subjected to sexual assault, harassment, and physical and verbal abuse.

The prosecutor’s office confirmed that preliminary proceedings began after a complaint was filed on January 5, but secrecy rules prevent further disclosure of case details. Iglesias, 82, and his record label Sony have not responded to requests for comment.

The singer, one of the world’s best-selling Latin artists with over 300 million records sold, has faced growing criticism in Spain since the allegations emerged, with calls for accountability from politicians and the public.

Equality Minister Ana Redondo, from the Socialist-led government, said she respected Iglesias’ presumption of innocence but expressed support for the women’s testimony. “He’s a great singer but people can have a dark side,” she said.

The left-wing party Más Madrid suggested stripping Iglesias of the keys to the city he received as Madrid’s most famous son, citing his political support for conservative candidates.

However, Madrid Regional President Isabel Diaz Ayuso defended Iglesias, posting on X: “The Community of Madrid will never contribute to attacks on the prestige of artists, not least the most universal singer of all: Julio Iglesias.”