Former employees file new Spanish court lawsuit against Julio Iglesias alleging sexual assault
Two former domestic workers have filed a new criminal lawsuit in Madrid accusing singer Julio Iglesias of sexual assault, human trafficking, and forced labour at his Caribbean estates in 2021.
New legal action in Madrid
Two former domestic employees of Spanish singer Julio Iglesias filed a new criminal lawsuit before Spain's Audiencia Nacional on 3 September 2026. The plaintiffs, identified by the pseudonyms Rebeca and Laura to protect their identities, accuse the artist of human trafficking for forced labour and servitude, sexual assault, injuries, degrading treatment, and violations of workers' rights. The legal action is supported by the international non-governmental organization Women's Link Worldwide, which has assisted the women since they first approached Spanish authorities. The plaintiffs have requested specific protective measures throughout the legal proceedings, citing safety concerns.
The former employees released a statement regarding their decision to pursue the case in Spanish courts.
We did not deserve the physical, psychological and sexual abuse we suffered.
Allegations of exploitation in the Caribbean
According to the court filing, the alleged offences took place during 2021 at residential properties owned by Iglesias in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Lyford Cay in the Bahamas. Rebeca, who worked as a domestic housekeeper, and Laura, employed as a personal physiotherapist, stated that Iglesias used his authority and their vulnerable situation to recruit, transport, and house them in a constant climate of intimidation. The women reported working shifts lasting up to 16 hours daily, having their mobile phones monitored, and facing prohibitions against leaving the residential compounds.
The lawsuit describes systematic sexual harassment, non-consensual touching, and continuous sexual assaults throughout the employment period. The plaintiffs also stated they were forced to undergo mandatory gynaecological examinations, pregnancy screenings, and testing for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. To substantiate their allegations, the complainants submitted employment contracts, photographs, audio recordings, phone logs, and WhatsApp communication records to the court.
- Alleged abuse and labour violations take place at estates in Punta Cana and Lyford Cay.
- Former employees submit an initial criminal complaint to the Audiencia Nacional prosecutor.
- Spanish prosecutors archive the inquiry ten days later, citing a lack of territorial jurisdiction.
- Plaintiffs submit a new formal lawsuit to the instruction section of Spain's Central Court.
Previous dismissal and jurisdictional dispute
The legal filing follows a previous complaint submitted to the Audiencia Nacional prosecutor's office on 5 January 2026, which coincided with an investigative report published jointly by elDiario.es and Univision Noticias. Spanish prosecutors archived the preliminary inquiry ten days after opening it, concluding that Spanish tribunals lacked territorial jurisdiction because the alleged acts occurred abroad and the victims did not reside in Spain, despite Iglesias holding Spanish nationality. Legal scholars and rights advocates subsequently questioned the prosecutor's decision to close the preliminary inquiry without evaluating the evidentiary merits of the claims.
Women's Link Worldwide maintains that Spanish courts possess legal competence to investigate the alleged crimes under international law and jurisprudence on extraterritorial human rights abuses. Jovana Ríos Cisnero, executive director of Women's Link, addressed the obligation of Spanish authorities to examine the claims.
Spain has an obligation to guarantee access to justice on equal terms and regardless of who the reported person is.
Defence response and procedural next steps
Following the initial public allegations in early 2026, Iglesias denied the claims and released message exchanges with both former workers. In response to the new filing, his legal representative, José Antonio Choclán, stated that the defence had not received formal notification of the lawsuit from the court. Choclán reiterated that judicial authorities had already determined the absence of Spanish jurisdiction during the earlier review.
In any case, the lack of Spanish jurisdiction was already declared. We cannot say much more.
The investigating magistrate at the instruction section of Spain's Central Court of First Instance will now review the submitted evidence, documentation, and jurisdictional arguments to decide whether to admit the lawsuit and initiate formal judicial proceedings. The decision will determine whether Spanish judicial bodies have the authority to open an investigation into conduct alleged to have occurred in the Caribbean.
