Spanish music icon Julio Iglesias is confronting a series of grave new accusations, including an alleged directive for female staff to undergo tests for sexually transmitted diseases. This development follows initial claims of sexual assault filed against the 82-year-old singer at Spain's highest criminal court.
Detailed Allegations from Former Employees
Two women, identified by the pseudonyms Rebeca and Laura, have formally accused Iglesias of sexual assault and human trafficking. They filed their complaint with the Audiencia Nacional, Spain's top criminal court, which has now initiated a preliminary investigation.
The allegations stem from 2021, when the women were employed at the singer's luxurious mansions in the Caribbean, specifically in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Rebeca, a domestic worker, alleges she was subjected to non-consensual digital penetration by Iglesias, then 77, on a near-nightly basis. "I felt like an object, like a slave," she told investigators.
Laura, a physical therapist, claims Iglesias kissed her on the mouth and touched her breasts without consent on two separate occasions, once at a beach and again by the pool at his Punta Cana villa.
Mandatory Medical Examinations Revealed
In a significant new dimension to the case, the Spanish news site elDiario.es published further testimony on Wednesday. Rebeca and another former employee, Carolina, stated they were required to have gynaecological examinations to check for diseases like HIV and chlamydia.
"He ordered the girls to go to the gynaecologist for a general examination," Rebeca said, estimating 10 or 12 women were involved. Carolina confirmed the tests, which included ultrasounds and blood work, adding, "It didn't seem normal to me." The women were reportedly instructed to send their results to one of Iglesias's housekeepers.
elDiario.es claims to have obtained medical documents showing that five women working at the Dominican Republic villa in 2021 underwent such gynaecological checks.
Political Fallout and Calls for Action
The allegations have triggered a political reaction in Spain. Left-wing politicians have called for Iglesias to be stripped of official honours, including the Bellas Artes medal awarded by the culture ministry in 2010. Spain's labour minister and deputy prime minister, Yolanda Díaz, stated the government is examining the possibility of withdrawal, distinguishing between "criminal responsibility" and "ethical responsibility."
However, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the right-wing president of the Madrid region, has dismissed these calls. She defended the singer on social media, calling him "the most universal of all singers" and criticising the left for focusing on the case.
Laura explained her motivation for coming forward, hoping to encourage other potential victims. "I think by taking legal action we're sending a message... so that they can speak out and believe in justice," she said.
Journalists from elDiario.es and Univision Noticias, who conducted a three-year joint investigation, made repeated attempts to contact Iglesias and his legal representative but received no response. The Guardian has also approached his representatives for comment.
