Julio Iglesias broke his silence today with a statement posted on his Instagram profile , following accusations of alleged sexual assault, abuse of power and labor exploitation made by two former workers, into which the Spanish Public Prosecutor's Office has opened a preliminary investigation .

" I categorically deny having abused, coerced, or disrespected any woman, " the 82-year-old Spanish singer wrote, denying all charges and calling the testimonies "false." "These accusations cause me great sadness," the artist added.

“I have never heard such malice, but I still have the strength to let people know the whole truth and to defend my dignity in the face of such a serious affront,” the singer-songwriter adds in the lyrics.

In the message, Iglesias also thanked the people who are supporting him, speaking of their "affection and loyalty" and assuring them that he has found "great comfort" in them. The note concludes with his handwritten signature.

THE CASE – The allegations were made public through a three-year investigation by the Spanish online newspaper elDiario.es in collaboration with Univision TV. Iglesias is accused of "sexually assaulting and harassing" two former employees, Laura and Rebecca (identified by pseudonyms), who were 22 and 28 at the time, between January and October 2021. He also subjected them to "forced labor conditions," working 16-hour shifts a day, at his villas in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas, according to a joint press conference on Wednesday by the associations Women's Link Worldwide and Amnesty International, which are supporting the two former employees.

The complaint, filed on January 5 by the alleged victims with the National Court Prosecutor's Office, alleges "acts that may constitute the crime of human trafficking for the purpose of imposing forced labor and servitude" as well as "violations of sexual freedom and integrity, such as sexual harassment."

(Unioneonline/vl)

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