PALMA, Spain — April 14, 2026
The Spanish judiciary has handed over the case of actress Collien Fernandes against her ex-partner Christian Ulmen to German authorities, citing jurisdictional grounds.
The decision, made by the judge of the Chamber for Violence against Women at the court in Palma, follows arguments from both the defense and prosecution that Spain was not the appropriate venue for the proceedings. The prosecution in Palma had previously stated it did not consider Spain responsible for handling the case.
Jurisdictional Decision and Rationale
The court in Mallorca found insufficient evidence that the alleged crimes—which include creating fake profiles in Fernandes' name and distributing pornographic content—were primarily committed in Spain. The judge emphasized that the key circumstances leading to the complaint occurred either on German territory or through digital platforms publishing in German.
"All submitted conversations would have to be translated from German, as none of the parties speak Spanish," the judge noted in the ruling. Both Fernandes and Ulmen are German nationals, as are the named witnesses, who reside in Germany and speak German. The couple previously lived in Potsdam before relocating to Mallorca in 2023.
Legal and Social Repercussions
The case has ignited widespread debate in Germany about sexualized violence, sparking demonstrations in several cities. Fernandes filed her criminal complaint against Ulmen in Mallorca, but the transfer of jurisdiction to Germany could reshape the legal battle.
Christian Ulmen's lawyer, Christian Schertz, has announced plans to take legal action against the magazine *Der Spiegel* for its initial reporting on the case. Meanwhile, Fernandes' legal team retains the option to appeal the Spanish court's decision to a higher authority in Spain.
The ruling underscores the complexities of cross-border legal disputes, particularly in cases involving digital platforms and multinational relationships. As the case moves to German courts, observers anticipate further developments in what has become a high-profile examination of accountability and jurisdiction in cases of alleged online harassment.