Spanish prosecutors have dropped an investigation into complaints of sexual abuse against the singer Julio Iglesias.
They ruled that Spanish courts had no jurisdiction and were therefore not competent to investigate crimes committed abroad involving complainants who were not Spanish citizens or residents and who had never travelled to Spain with the star.
Two female former employees had alleged that the 82-year-old Spanish superstar normalised abuse in a coercive, threatening and violent environment while they were working at his properties in the Bahamas and Dominican Republic in 2021.
Iglesias has vigorously denied the allegations, which were first reported last week.
On 5 January, the women filed a legal complaint for sexual assault and human trafficking with the national court, which investigates crimes allegedly committed beyond Spain's borders.
Advocacy groups Women's Link Worldwide and Amnesty International stated the acts alleged could be considered a crime of human trafficking for the purpose of forced labour and crimes against sexual freedom.
Women's Link Worldwide described the complainants as young Latin American women in vulnerable situations who were heavily dependent on their wages due to their economic and social conditions. They opined that the complaint was submitted in Spain due to its legislation to protect women from gender-based violence and trafficking.
However, prosecutors asserted that the fact that the complainants were not Spanish citizens or residents rendered the legal principle of universal jurisdiction inapplicable. They also noted that the states where the alleged crimes occurred—namely the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas—had adequate legal frameworks to handle the allegations.
Iglesias has responded to the accusations with a post on Instagram, stating: I deny having abused, coerced, or disrespected any woman. These accusations are absolutely false and deeply sadden me.
Several friends of the singer have also firmly denied any claims against him. Iglesias is recognized as one of the most successful Latin artists, having sold over 300 million records throughout his decades-long career and is the father of fellow music star Enrique Iglesias.
