Spanish singer Julio Iglesias accused of sexual assault

Spanish singer, Julio Iglesias has been accused of sexual assault by two of his former female employees.

His former domestic worker and a physiotherapist, have alleged that Iglesias sexually and otherwise abused them while they worked at his residences in the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic between January and October 2021.

The women claim the Spanish superstar "normalised abuse" in a coercive, threatening, and violent work environment.

A joint investigation into the alleged misconduct was published by the Spanish online newspaper elDiario.es and the Spanish-language television channel Univision Noticias. Spain's National Court received the formal allegations against Iglesias on 5 January, and the country's judiciary is currently investigating the matter. Iglesias could potentially face trial in a Madrid court.

Iglesias has denied the claims in a recent statement he made on Instagram.

"I deny having abused, coerced, or disrespected any woman. These accusations are absolutely false and deeply sadden me,” Iglesias said. "It is with profound sadness that I respond to the accusations made by two people who previously worked for me,” he continued. "I have never felt such malice, but I still have the strength to let people know the whole truth and defend my dignity against such a serious accusation."

Women's Link Worldwide and Amnesty International have suggested the alleged acts could constitute "a crime of human trafficking for forced labour" and "crimes against sexual freedom."

The allegations against Iglesias include that he subjected the women to "sexual harassment, regularly checked their mobile phones, restricted their ability to leave the home where they worked, and required them to work up to 16 hours a day without days off."