Singer Julio Iglesias has denied allegations of sexual assault made by two female former employees. The women allege that the 82-year-old Spanish superstar normalised abuse in a coercive, threatening and violent environment while they were working at his properties in the Bahamas and Dominican Republic.

Responding on Instagram, Iglesias said: I deny having abused, coerced, or disrespected any woman. These accusations are absolutely false and deeply sadden me. The allegations, which were first reported earlier this week, are being investigated by Spain's judiciary.

The two women - a domestic worker and a physiotherapist - have alleged they suffered sexual and other forms of abuse while working at Iglesias's properties. They claim the incidents occurred during their 10-month employment in 2021, at which point they filed a legal complaint for sexual assault and human trafficking.

Women’s Link Worldwide and Amnesty International assert the acts detailed in the complaint could amount to human trafficking and crimes against sexual freedom. Testimonies from the women indicate they were subjected to harassment, monitored by Iglesias, and forced to work excessively without breaks.

Iglesias responded to the allegations with sadness, declaring: 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. Additional investigation reports cite evidence supporting the women's allegations, including documented communications and accounts from other former staff.

Despite these serious claims, some supporters of Iglesias, including friends and journalists, defended him, saying they had never heard of any wrongdoing. Iglesias remains a prominent figure in the music industry and is known for his immense success over decades.