Julio Iglesias accused of sexual assault : NPR

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Carlos Giusti/AP BARCELONA, Spain — Spanish prosecutors are finding out allegations that Grammy-winning singer Julio Iglesias sexually assaulted two former workers at his residences within the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.

The Spanish prosecutors' workplace instructed The Related Press on Wednesday that the allegations had been associated to media reviews from earlier this week that alleged Iglesias had sexually and bodily assaulted two ladies who labored in his Caribbean residences between January and October 2021.

Iglesias has but to talk publicly concerning the allegations. Russell L. King, a Miami-based leisure lawyer who lists Iglesias as a shopper on his web site, did not instantly reply to a request for remark by the AP.

The Spanish prosecutors' workplace that handles instances for Spain's Nationwide Court docket mentioned that it had acquired formal allegations towards Iglesias by an unnamed get together on Jan. 5. Iglesias may probably be taken in entrance of the Madrid-based court docket, which might strive alleged crimes by Spanish residents whereas they're overseas, in response to the court docket's press workplace.

Looking for justice in Spain over the Caribbean Ladies's Hyperlink Worldwide, a nongovernmental group, mentioned in an announcement that it was representing the 2 ladies who had offered the criticism to the Spanish court docket. The group mentioned that the ladies had been accusing Iglesias of "crimes towards sexual freedom and indemnity comparable to sexual harassment" and of "human trafficking for the aim of compelled labor and servitude."

The group mentioned the ladies of their testimony additionally accused Iglesias of repeatedly checking their cellphones, of prohibiting them from leaving the home the place they labored and demanding that they work as much as 16 hours a day, with no contract or days off.

The group mentioned it didn't attain out to authorities within the Bahamas or the Dominican Republic, and that it did not know whether or not authorities in these Caribbean nations have initiated an investigation.

Gema Fernández, senior lawyer at Ladies's Hyperlink Worldwide, mentioned in a web-based press convention Wednesday that "Spanish laws concerning sexual violence, gender-based violence and trafficking may very well be an fascinating choice" for the 2 ladies making the allegations towards Iglesias.

"Listening to what (the 2 ladies) are in search of and their definitions of justice, it appears to us that submitting a criticism with the Public Prosecutor's Workplace of the Nationwide Court docket of Spain was the trail that greatest suited their definition of justice. That's the reason we're supporting them alongside this path," Fernández mentioned.

Jovana Ríos Cisneros, government director of Ladies's Hyperlink Worldwide, asserted that Spanish prosecutors have determined to take statements from the 2 ladies and granted them the standing of protected witnesses.

"Being heard by the Prosecutor's Workplace is an important step within the seek for justice," she mentioned.

Fernández mentioned prosecutors haven't set a date to take statements from the ladies and famous that prosecutors have as much as six months to find out whether or not the knowledge they obtain warrants a prison prosecution. These six months may exceptionally be prolonged to a 12 months, she added.

The Prosecutor's Workplace didn't instantly return a message in search of remark.

A singer beneath scrutiny Spanish on-line newspaper elDiario.es and Spanish-language tv channel Univision Noticias revealed the joint investigation into Iglesias' alleged misconduct.

Ríos mentioned the 2 ladies initially contacted elDiario.es, which started investigating the allegations but in addition suggested the ladies to hunt authorized assist.

Spanish authorities spokeswoman Elma Saiz mentioned that the media reviews concerning Iglesias "demanded respect."

"As soon as once more I can reaffirm this authorities's agency and full dedication to tackle any act of violence, harassment or aggression towards ladies," Saiz mentioned Tuesday after the media reviews had been revealed.

Panky Corcino, spokesman for the Lawyer Normal's Workplace within the Dominican Republic, declined to remark, saying he could not affirm or deny an investigation.

By legislation, any case within the Caribbean nation that entails sexual aggression or violence should be investigated by prosecutors, even when nobody has filed a criticism.

The 82-year-old Iglesias is likely one of the world's most profitable musical artists after having bought greater than 300 million information in additional than a dozen languages. After making his begin in Spain, he received immense recognition in america and wider world within the Nineteen Seventies and '80s. He is the daddy of pop singer Enrique Iglesias.

Julio Iglesias received a 1988 Grammy for Greatest Latin Pop Efficiency for his album "Un Hombre Solo." He additionally acquired a Lifetime Achievement Award on the Grammys in 2019.

Spain's tradition minister mentioned Wednesday that its left-wing authorities, which holds ladies's rights and equality amongst its priorities, can even take into account stripping Iglesias of the state's Gold Medal of Benefit within the High quality Arts that he was awarded in 2010.

"It's one thing we're finding out and evaluating, as a result of evidently we really feel obliged to take action when confronted by such a severe case," Tradition Minister Ernest Urtasun mentioned.