Christian Ulmen accused of decade-long digital sexual violence against ex-wife

Actor Christian Ulmen faces serious allegations of digital sexual violence against his ex-wife, Collien Fernandes. Court documents and sworn statements claim he created pornographic deepfakes of her and impersonated her online for over a decade. The case has reignited discussions about how digital abuse can extend domestic violence into virtual spaces.

Fernandes filed a criminal complaint in Spain after Ulmen allegedly admitted to the acts in 2024. According to Der Spiegel, an email from Ulmen to his lawyers confirmed he had set up fake social media profiles in her name to send explicit messages. Witnesses provided affidavits supporting her account, including claims that he used AI-generated voice cloning to engage in sexually explicit conversations while pretending to be her.

The allegations cover a range of digital sexual violence, from revenge porn to cyber impersonation. Such acts—including unsolicited sexual messages, deepfake pornography, and cyberstalking—are recognised under Spanish law as violations of sexual self-determination. Since the 2022 Solo sí es sí law, digital offences like these have been prosecuted more aggressively. By 2025, over 500 convictions were recorded, with cases of digital extortion rising by 40% according to the Ministry of Interior.

Spain's legal system has adapted to address these crimes, with rulings like the 2024 Audiencia Nacional case sentencing a Madrid man to two years for deepfake pornography. The country's cybercrime units, backed by EU directives such as the Digital Services Act, now treat non-consensual image sharing and AI-generated abuse as sexual assault or privacy violations.

The case against Ulmen underscores the lasting harm digital sexual violence can cause, often mirroring the trauma of physical assault. If proven, his actions would demonstrate how domestic abuse can persist long after a relationship ends—through fake profiles, deepfakes, and online manipulation. Spanish courts will now determine whether the evidence meets the stricter legal standards introduced in recent years.