Julio Iglesias has not sued the north, his promoters say

CELEBRITY singer Julio Iglesias’ agency yesterday denied suing any Turkish Cypriot entity following media reports that he had filed a damages lawsuit against the state after a cancelled gig.

A spokesperson for the singer’s official management firm, Starry Night Enterprises, said yesterday: “The artist has not sued any north Cypriot entity, in relation to the concert in Kyrenia, which was cancelled in 2010 (and he has) returned 100 per cent of the amount he had been paid in advance for the cancelled concert.”

According to the Turkish Daily Hurriyet, the US based management firm Creative Talent Agency (ICTA) and the Voyager Cyprus Company’s hotel, Merit Crystal, signed an agreement for an Iglesias concert in 2010.

However, after pressure by Greek Cypriots, the concert was cancelled, while the retainer fee taken was not returned to Voyager, the Turkish media reported. 

According to Hurriyet, ICTA claimed it was “deceived” over the status of the ‘TRNC’ and that it was not aware it lacked “governmental characteristics”. The firm then reportedly sued both the Voyager and the breakaway state on August 12 last year for $10 million (some €7.6 million) in damages.

Iglesias’ spokesman at the time said (the): “scheduled concert was cancelled at the moment we were informed that the city is in an area called an independent country without being internationally recognized.”

Iglesias has joined a list of other stars such as Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake and Rihanna, who all withdrew from performances following intense opposition from the Greek Cypriot community. 

“As an artist, Mr. Iglesias´ only desire is to make people worldwide enjoy the music, with no intention of harming anybody.” The Starry Night statement said:

 

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