Controversial Interrogations: Judiciary Opens Inquiry into Judge Adolfo Carretero's Conduct
The General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) announced on Wednesday that disciplinary action promoter Ricardo Conde has initiated an informative procedure concerning the behavior of Judge Adolfo Carretero in Investigating Court number 47. This decision comes on the heels of multiple complaints about Carretero's conduct during interrogations on January 16 with actress Elisa Mouliaá and former politician Íñigo Errejón. According to a note shared by Europa Press, the CGPJ's Citizen Attention Unit has so far received over 900 complaints related to the magistrate’s actions following a media report on January 20 revealing recordings of the proceedings.
The initiation of this procedure by Conde serves as a preliminary evaluation to determine whether a formal disciplinary file should be opened against Judge Carretero. During the interrogation of Mouliaá, which Europa Press obtained access to, the judge repeatedly challenged her account of the events surrounding the alleged sexual assault that occurred in September 2021.
The actress was subjected to aggressive questioning, with the judge juxtaposing her narrative with pointed inquiries that seemed to minimize the seriousness of her allegations. Repeatedly, Carretero pressed Mouliaá on whether she had been excessively intoxicated during the incident. ‘I remember that I was much more drunk than usual. Everything was spinning. I have gaps,’ she explained, to which Carretero retorted, ‘You did not say that in the complaint. Were you very drunk for sure?’
The judge continued to grill her about the specifics of the encounter, including details that questioned the clarity of consent. When addressing when Errejón allegedly pushed her against a wall at a friend's party, Carretero prompted, ‘Did he tell you to stop?’ Mouliaá made it clear she expressed discomfort, stating, ‘No, not very uncomfortable. Say leave me alone don’t touch me.’
Further questioning reached an uncomfortable peak when Carretero inquired about the nature of Errejón’s actions explicitly, asking whether the former politician had attempted to violate her.
This series of inquiries has drawn significant public outrage, raising questions about the approach taken by individuals in positions of authority within the judiciary system during sensitive cases involving sexual assault. As the CGPJ continues its investigation into these complaints, the case has ignited discussions about the need for reform in how such testimonies are handled, ensuring both sensitivity and respect for victims of sexual violence.
The outcome of this investigation will likely have implications not only for the involved parties but also for the broader discourse surrounding judicial conduct in cases of sexual assault and the standards of questioning employed in sensitive interrogations.
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