Actress Elisa Mouliaá surprised everyone by turning herself in to the courts in Madrid on Wednesday, aiming to avoid arrest over allegations of defamation. She had been subject to an arrest warrant after failing to appear before Judge Arturo Zamarriego on three occasions. To skirt the police, Mouliaá travelled from Dubai, stopping in Portugal before making her way to Madrid by road.
Notably, Mouliaá arrived with a new lawyer, Francisco Melero, marking her fifth change of legal representation since her ongoing battle against politician Íñigo Errejón, whom she has accused of sexual violence. She had previously been represented by Yurena Carrillo, whose recent TikTok video caused a stir when she requested a hitman for €3,000 to target a judge, two prosecutors, and a mayor, alleging a campaign of harassment against her.
Mouliaá’s shift in legal counsel occurred just a day before her unexpected appearance in court. Carrillo resigned, citing a “loss of professional trust” and circumstances that hindered their professional relationship. Mouliaá has faced significant challenges in her case, missing her earlier summons due to illness, and her third absence led to her arrest warrant.
Upon her arrival, she stated her decision to fly to Lisbon over the weekend was part of an effort to avoid detection upon her return to Spain. Mouliaá later expressed regret to the judge, claiming she never intended to evade the law, although she has previously accused the judge of acting “disproportionately” in issuing the arrest order.
In her statement to Judge Zamarriego, Mouliaá insisted she hadn’t meant to commit a crime when she claimed Errejón was manipulating witnesses against her. She believed her accusations were valid, as she had heard a witness testify about conversations with Errejón. The change in Mouliaá’s legal strategy is significant, reflecting a shift from her earlier approach under Carrillo’s guidance.
