**Madrid, Spain** – Spanish prosecutors have formally discontinued an investigation into alleged sexual abuse and human trafficking claims brought against the iconic Spanish singer Julio Iglesias. The decision, issued on Friday, cites a lack of territorial jurisdiction as the primary reason for closing the case, leaving the two former employees who lodged the complaint in a precarious legal position.
The allegations, which reportedly occurred in 2021, were brought forward by two women who had previously worked at Iglesias's properties in the Caribbean. They lodged a formal complaint with Spain's Audiencia Nacional, the national court, detailing experiences of what they described as "normalised abuse" within a context of coercion, threats, and violence. One complainant, identified as Rebeca, shared harrowing details with Spanish media outlets elDiario.es and Univision Noticias, recounting how she felt "used almost every night," likening her experience to that of an "object, like a slave." Her specific accusations included non-consensual penetration.
Despite the gravity of the claims, which Spanish prosecutors acknowledged could be construed as human trafficking for forced labour and crimes against sexual freedom, the investigation was ultimately deemed beyond the purview of Spanish courts. Prosecutors determined that as the alleged offences transpired outside of Spain and the complainants were not Spanish nationals or residents, the Spanish legal system could not assert jurisdiction. The ruling stipulated that the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas, where the purported crimes took place, are the appropriate venues for any future legal proceedings.
The women's decision to file their complaint in Spain was reportedly influenced by the country's robust legislation designed to protect victims of gender-based violence and trafficking. The legal principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows national courts to prosecute certain heinous crimes regardless of where they occurred or the nationality of the perpetrators or victims, was deemed inapplicable in this instance due to the complainants' non-Spanish status. Testimony gathered from a total of fifteen former employees, spanning from the late 1990s to 2023, was reportedly reviewed as part of the preliminary inquiry.
The complainants were described as young Latin American women who found themselves in economically and socially vulnerable situations, circumstances that advocacy groups like Women's Link Worldwide and Amnesty International have highlighted as often making individuals susceptible to exploitation. These groups have underscored the potential severity of the alleged acts, emphasizing that they transcend mere sexual misconduct and encompass elements of enforced servitude.
While the Spanish investigation has concluded, the door remains open for the complainants to pursue legal avenues in either the Dominican Republic or the Bahamas. However, the logistical and financial challenges associated with seeking justice in foreign jurisdictions, particularly for individuals in precarious circumstances, present significant hurdles. The outcome of this case underscores the complex jurisdictional quandaries that can arise when alleged crimes cross international borders, particularly in cases involving powerful individuals and vulnerable complainants.