Julio Iglesias lawyer wants sex abuse complaints thrown out because courts in Spain have ‘no jurisdiction’

JULIO’s lawyer is asking authorities to dismiss the complaint of two former employees alleging sexual harassment against the veteran musician.

Jose Antonio Choclan filed papers on Monday at the National Court stating that its prosecutors did not have jurisdiction over the accusations.

He said that any legal actions should be taken in both countries where the alleged crimes occurred.

READ MORE

The women- a domestic worker and a physiotherapist – say they suffered sexual and other abuse while working at Iglesias’s properties in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas in 2021.

In a criminal case filed to the National Court earlier this year, the women claimed Iglesias sexually harassed and checked their mobiles regularly. They also said that Iglesias restricted their freedom to leave the home where they work.

Jose Antonio Choclan has asked prosecutors to ‘immediately file’ the preliminary investigation and ‘end the media campaign causing serious harm’ to the 82-year-old singer’s reputation.

Choclan’s submission stated: “Neither the Spanish prosecutor nor Spanish courts can unilaterally assume the role as a universal prosecutor. The victim cannot choose whichever jurisdiction is most convenient to them.”

Women’s Link Worldwide (which is assisting the plaintiffs) said the case had been filed in Spain due to the strong gender-based abuse laws of that country and Iglesias being a Spanish national.

Choclan’s request that the Public Prosecutor’s Office be involved in this case has been denied by the National Court.

It stated that proceedings are limited for the moment to verify ‘the competence of the National Court’ and not to investigate the allegations, which means Choclan cannot yet get involved.

“It would not be appropriate to announce the appearance of the planned product at this moment as we are in an initial stage.” prima facie Marta Durantez, the deputy prosecutor signed a decree that stated: “We have to determine whether the National Court has the jurisdiction to hear the facts decried.”

She continued, “This issue is procedural and not substantive. All proceedings aim at settling the issue. They do not carry out the investigation to assign the accused to the status of suspect.”

Durantez concluded, “All of this has been done without prejudice.”

Choclan has not been satisfied with the statement.

Click here to read more Crime & Law News from The Olive Press.