For years, silence was the norm around what happened inside certain workplaces linked to singer Julio Iglesias. That silence was broken at the start of this year, when two former employees of the artist filed a complaint with the Spanish Public Prosecutor’s Office over alleged sexual assaults and other serious offences said to have been committed between January and October 2021.
It’s now emerged that those two cases could be expanded with new testimonies. Speaking to Euronews, Clara Serra Baiget, one of the Women’s Link lawyers representing the two alleged victims said: “We have been contacted by other former workers who claim to have worked for Julio Iglesias.” For security reasons, she added, she cannot detail the content of those conversations, although she emphasised that new testimonies from people who have experienced similar situations cannot be ruled out.
The lawyer stressed that these are not isolated incidents nor a single type of offence. “We are reporting abusive working conditions, violent environments, harassment and sexual abuse, and also injuries.” As she explained, the events described by Rebeca and Laura (fictitious names) could also constitute human trafficking for the purpose of imposing forced labour and servitude, in addition to sexual harassment, sexual assaults, injuries and offences against workers’ rights.
Although there are two different complainants, the case is being brought jointly because of the similarities between their accounts. “Analysing the testimonies and the body of evidence we have been able to gather, there are numerous overlaps,” said Serra Baiget. According to her, they align in their description of life inside the residences, in how they were treated, in the working conditions and in the situations of harassment and sexual violence. Women’s Link insists that its work starts from a clear premise: “We always support testimony and believe victims, whether there is one or several”.
The complaint does not rest solely on Rebeca and Laura’s accounts. “We have compiled a fairly extensive array of indications of different kinds,” the lawyer explained. Testimonies and documentation have already been submitted to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which must assess whether that body of evidence allows the case to move on to the next judicial stage. “It will now be up to the Public Prosecutor’s Office to determine whether the reported facts and the evidence presented are sufficient,” she noted.
Campaigns to discredit the victims
Since the case became public, questioning and smear campaigns towards the complainants have emerged, something Serra Baiget said is to be expected. “We are seeing a great deal of false information circulating on the internet,” she says. “We know that in this type of case actions arrive that are aimed at discrediting victims, at casting doubt on their testimony and their credibility.”
In response, the organisation’s message is firm: “What is being discussed here is alleged criminal conduct, not the victims’ credibility.”
Fear has been present from the start of the legal support. According to the lawyer, from the very first contact Rebeca and Laura expressed concern for their safety and their privacy. “The individual named in the complaint has a position of influence and power, with considerable capacity to carry out reprisals and intimidation,” she added. Hence the request for anonymity. “That does not conflict with their wish to speak out and seek justice and redress for the harm suffered.”
Beyond the judicial process, the lawyer underlines the case’s social significance. “It is not easy to break the silence,” she acknowledges. “There is still a great deal of work to be done to prevent revictimisation and to help society understand how gender-based violence operates.”
Rebeca and Laura, she says, are clear about what they expect from this process: “They want guarantees of non-repetition and reparation.” And a message they deem essential: “Society needs to listen to and support survivors of sexual violence.”
Iglesias denies the allegations
Last week, after several days of silence, the Spanish singer posted a statement on his Instagram profile about the case. “I deny having abused, coerced or disrespected any woman,” Iglesias wrote. “These accusations are absolutely false and cause me great sadness,” he added.
Since then, his defence has asked for the case to be shelved for “lack of jurisdiction” on the part of the Spanish justice system, given that the events took place at an Iglesias residence in the Dominican Republic. On this point, Serra Baiget argues that there are solid grounds for the Spanish justice system to take up the case, among them the nationality of the individual named in the complaint, the nature of the offences and the fact that they have not been effectively investigated or sanctioned in the countries where they are said to have occurred.
For now, Serra Baiget adds, there has been no contact nor any settlement proposal from the singer’s defence.
‘Euronews’ has contacted Bufete Choclán, which represents Julio Iglesias in this procedure, but the firm has declined to comment.