Ricky Martin is accused of incest by his cousin who claimed they had a sexual relationship for seven months and he ‘assaulted him physically and psychologically’: Singer could face up to 50 years in prison
Ricky Martin has been accused of incest by his 21-year-old cousin and could face up to 50 years in prison if convicted, reports have revealed.
The singer was given a restraining order following a domestic violence incident in Puerto Rico earlier this month, but the victim’s identity was withheld.
His brother, Eric Martin, has since identified the alleged victim as the singer’s cousin, Dennis Yadiel Sanchez, Spanish news outlet Brand reported.
Martin is accused of “performing physical and psychological attacks” on Sanchez during their seven-month relationship, which ended about two months ago.
A representative for Martin, 50, previously called the abuse allegations “completely false and fabricated” in a statement provided to People earlier this month.
The star is expected to appear in Puerto Rican court for his trial on July 21.
Ricky Martin (pictured in May) has reportedly been accused of incest by his 21-year-old cousin and could face up to 50 years in prison if convicted
Martin’s accuser, believed to be Sanchez, filed a restraining order against the singer on July 1 under Puerto Rico’s domestic violence law.
The warrant states that Martin and the other party dated for seven months, El Vocero, a Puerto Rican newspaper, reported shortly after the warrant was filed.
The report cites the warrant that they broke up two months ago, but the petitioner says Martin did not accept the divorce and was seen near their home at least three times.
The order prohibited Martin from contacting or calling the petitioner who allegedly “feared for his safety”.
The singer’s lawyers are reportedly preparing their defense against Sanchez, telling Marca that the 21-year-old was recently charged by a woman after he allegedly harassed her and “threatened to destroy her life.”
Sanchez also suffers from ‘mental issues,’ Eric Martin told The Latin Postadding that he was ‘very sure that his young relative was not telling the truth’.
DailyMail.com has contacted Martin’s camp in an attempt to confirm the message.
The protective order was signed on July 1 after authorities visited the Martin neighborhood in the northern coastal town of Dorado to try and assist him, police spokesman Axel Valencia previously told The Associated Press.
Valencia noted that the person who requested the restraining order did not contact the police, which allegedly led prosecutors to determine whether there was enough evidence to press charges. Instead, the request went straight to court.
Puerto Rican law takes allegations of incest very seriously. If the alleged romance between Martin and Sanchez is confirmed, the singer could face up to 50 years in prison for incest.
Martin responded to the allegations on July 3 on Twitter, saying: “The protection order issued against me is based on completely false allegations, so I will respond through the judicial process with the facts and dignity that characterize me.
“As it is an ongoing legal matter, I cannot make any detailed statements at this time. I am grateful for the countless messages of solidarity and receive them with all my heart.’
He has not made any additional statements about the allegations.