Julio Iglesias Sues Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz
Legendary Spanish singer Julio Iglesias has taken legal action against Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz, accusing her of infringing on his “right of honor.” This comes in light of her remarks regarding sexual abuse allegations made against him by two former employees earlier this year.
The lawsuit, which Iglesias filed in Spain’s Supreme Court, is also seeking 50,000 euros in damages from Díaz.
At 82, Julio Iglesias is considered the most successful continental European singer globally and ranks among the best-selling artists in history.
Earlier this year, two former employees lodged sexual assault claims against him, alleging that Iglesias engaged in “routine abuse” while they worked in the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic in 2021.
This joint complaint first caught public attention through El Diario and Univision.
Following the complaints, the Spanish public prosecutor’s office initiated an investigation into Iglesias. However, it was dropped shortly thereafter, as the plaintiffs were found to have no ties to Spain, meaning Spanish courts lacked jurisdiction over their claims.
Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz commented on the allegations via her official social media account, sharing a link to the original report from El Diario. She also addressed the accusations during a January interview with RTVE.
According to RTVE, the lawsuit details that Iglesias is demanding Díaz to recognize her comments as an “unlawful violation of Iglesias’ right to honor.” He requests a retraction of her statements, the payment of damages, and further compensation for legal fees.
Moreover, Iglesias has filed charges for defamation, slander, and violation of moral integrity. Journalists from El Diario criticized the initial report made in January, claiming it included “false and defamatory” remarks.
As of now, Deputy Prime Minister Díaz has not publicly responded to the lawsuit. El Diario has condemned the lawsuit, asserting that it harbors “false and baseless accusations” against the publication and its journalists.
In an earlier interview, Díaz suggested that the allegations against Iglesias had led her to discuss the potential revocation of his Gold Medal of Artistic Achievement, the highest cultural accolade awarded by the Spanish government, which he received in 2010.
Additionally, Ok Diario reported that Iglesias’ legal team is compiling an expert report to assess the repercussions of these allegations on his international reputation. An insider indicated that a “multi-million dollar claim” could be pursued once the report is finalized.
Iglesias had sought mediation with Díaz over what he termed “defamatory and derogatory statements” made in her social media posts and interviews. However, after Díaz declined the mediation offer, he escalated the matter to Spain’s Supreme Court.
Besides her role as deputy prime minister, Díaz is the minister of labor and social economy in Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s administration, representing the Socialist Party.
