Executive Summary
- Two former employees filed a criminal complaint in Spain accusing Julio Iglesias of human trafficking.
- Allegations include forced labor, sexual harassment, and movement restrictions at Caribbean properties in 2021.
- The plaintiffs are supported by Women’s Link Worldwide and Amnesty International.
- Spanish Equality Minister Ana Redondo has called for a full investigation into the charges.
Spanish singer Julio Iglesias is the subject of a criminal complaint filed by two former employees who accuse the artist of human trafficking and forced labor, according to statements released by advocacy groups supporting the women.
Women’s Link Worldwide and Amnesty International reported that the complaint, filed with Spanish prosecutors on January 5, details alleged abuses occurring at Iglesias’s properties in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas in 2021. The filing outlines acts that the organizations state could constitute “a crime of human trafficking for the purpose of forced labour” and “crimes against sexual freedom.”
According to testimony collected by the advocacy groups, the plaintiffs allege they were subjected to sexual harassment and strict controls on their movement. The former staff members claim Iglesias regularly checked their mobile phones, restricted their ability to leave the premises, and required them to work up to 16 hours a day without scheduled days off.
One of the accusers, identified as a Dominican national named Rebeca who was 22 at the time of the alleged events, stated through Women’s Link that she is speaking out to seek justice. The allegations were first reported by the U.S. television network Univision and the Spanish newspaper elDiario.es. Following the reports, Spain’s Equality Minister, Ana Redondo, has publicly called for a full investigation into the matter.
International Legal Implications
This case highlights the complexities of cross-border legal proceedings, as the complaint was filed in Spain regarding alleged conduct in the Caribbean. Spanish prosecutors must now determine if there is sufficient jurisdiction and evidence to proceed with formal charges against the 82-year-old artist. It is important to note that a criminal complaint represents an accusation, and all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
