Spanish singer Julio Iglesias has denied having abused two former home workers who have filed a prison grievance against him, describing the accusations as false in a social media post late on Thursday.
The prosecutor’s workplace of Spain’s High Court has said it has opened preliminary proceedings over the grievance, which a rights group said concerned human trafficking for compelled labor and servitude, sexual abuse and violations of staff’ rights.
“I deny having abused, coerced or disrespected any woman. These accusations are completely false and cause me great sadness,” Iglesias, 82, said in a assertion bearing his signature posted on his Instagram profile.
Julio Iglesias performs in Duluth, Georgia, on Dec. 6, 2019. Getty Images
“I deny having abused, coerced or disrespected any woman. These accusations are completely false and cause me great sadness,” Iglesias, 82, said in a assertion bearing his signature posted on his Instagram profile. Julio Iglesias / Instagram
Iglesias – one of the world’s best-selling Latin artists with more than 300 million data bought in 14 languages – added he had discovered “great comfort” in messages of support.
Rights group Women’s Link Worldwide filed the grievance on January 5 on behalf of the two ladies, recognized by the pseudonyms Rebeca and Laura, after a three-year investigation by US broadcaster Univision and Spanish outlet elDiario.es.
The group described the complainants as younger Latin American ladies “in vulnerable situations who were heavily dependent on their wages due to their economic and social conditions.”
Julio Iglesias at the Walk of Fame in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sept. 29, 2016. AP
Julio Iglesias posing for a portrait in 1983. Getty Images
The reports said they had labored in Iglesias’ Caribbean residences in the Dominican Republic and Bahamas for 10 months in 2021.
The court has not supplied any particulars of the case, which is subject to secrecy guidelines.
Attempts by Reuters to contact representatives of Iglesias by e-mail and telephone went unanswered, while the star’s report label, Sony, has declined to remark on the allegations.
