The Prosecutor's Office of Spain's High Court has officially closed the case against the well-known singer Julio Iglesias, declining to pursue further investigation due to a lack of jurisdiction. According to Reuters and UNN, the case concerned allegations of sexual violence and human trafficking allegedly committed outside Spain.
At the beginning of January, the human rights organization Women's Link Worldwide filed a complaint on behalf of two former employees of Iglesias's residences in the Caribbean. The women claimed that in 2021, while working in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas, they experienced sexual aggression, forced labor, and constant psychological pressure.
The Prosecutor's Office concluded that Spanish courts have no grounds to apply their jurisdiction: the alleged crimes reportedly took place on foreign territory, and the complainants are not Spanish citizens. This decision is based on the limits of the principle of universal jurisdiction, which in some cases allows the investigation of serious crimes committed abroad, but has clear boundaries of application.
Artist's reaction and further prospects
"These accusations are completely false and deeply offensive. I will defend my reputation,"
— Julio Iglesias, singer
Representatives of the singer and the label Sony Music have so far refrained from detailed comments. The Prosecutor's Office noted that the alleged victims retain the right to turn to the law enforcement authorities of the Dominican Republic or the Bahamas — and it is these jurisdictions that now have the decisive resources and responsibility for the next steps.
What this means for the victims and international law
The technical closure of the case in Madrid is not an automatic assessment of the evidence in favor of one side: it is a decision about the courts' competence. At the same time it underscores the problematic reality of transnational justice — when influential figures and crimes allegedly committed abroad are involved, victims risk facing procedural barriers.
Human rights advocates have already expressed regret over the inability to hold the suspect accountable in his homeland. Experts in international law point out: without closer cooperation between countries, strengthening local investigative capacities and witness protection mechanisms, such cases are often stalled.
For Ukraine, which is currently insisting on international accountability for crimes on its territory, this is an additional reminder: international institutions and principles do not operate automatically — their effectiveness depends on political will, interstate coordination, and the readiness of local courts to conduct complex investigations.
Summary without fanfare: the case in Madrid is closed on procedural grounds, but the questions of accountability and access to justice for the victims remain open. The initiative now lies with the local authorities of the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas and with international human rights networks that can spur further investigative actions. According to Reuters and UNN.
