Reopening of Sexual Assault Case Against Former Deputy Íñigo Errejón: What We Know
Judge Adolfo Carretero has reopened a sexual assault case involving former deputy Íñigo Errejón, following an appeal from the Prosecutor's Office and Errejón's defense. The court has scheduled testimonies from both parties for January 16, with Mouliaá expected to speak at 11:00 AM and Errejón at 12:30 PM.
This decision comes after the case was initially archived last November due to the complainant's lawyer being on medical leave. The judge had explained that actress Elisa Mouliaá felt unable to appoint another lawyer, leading to the suspension of proceedings.
Elisa Mouliaá’s complaint details an alleged incident that occurred in late September 2021. After a year of conversations over social media, Errejón invited Mouliaá to the presentation of his book. Following the event, they went for drinks, and she invited him to a party she was attending.
According to Mouliaá's account in her complaint, once they were in the car, Errejón displayed a dominating demeanor. In the elevator, the situation escalated as he allegedly grabbed her by the waist and kissed her forcefully, leaving her breathless. During the party, it’s claimed he took her to a room where he initiated non-consensual touching, including removing her bra and making inappropriate remarks.
Mouliaá described feeling paralyzed during the incident. Despite expressing her discomfort and resistance, the alleged assault continued. She emphasized her belief that consent must be explicit, stating, "Íñigo, only yes means yes. It’s hard to believe that this is happening to me with you."
Legal experts have indicated that the reported actions could constitute a crime of sexual assault, which carries a prison sentence of 1 to 5 years in Spain. As this case progresses, it raises significant questions regarding consent, power dynamics, and the repercussions of such allegations in public life.
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