Xeeis — In a troubling incident, a man has been arrested in Spain on suspicion of sexual assault after he seemingly touched a TV journalist inappropriately during a live broadcast in Madrid.
The incident unfolded while Isa Balado, a journalist for Spain’s Cuatro channel and the program “En boca de todos,” was reporting on an alleged robbery. As she was delivering her report, the man approached her and appeared to touch her buttocks.
Balado attempted to continue her report, but presenter Nacho Abad in the studio questioned her about the incident. She confirmed that the man had indeed touched her, prompting Abad to request that the individual be shown on camera, referring to him as “this stupid guy.”
The camera then revealed Balado and the man on screen. She confronted him, asking, “Do you really need to touch my bum?” and reminding him that she was live on television, requesting that he allow her to work.
Despite her objections, the man continued to engage with her, even reaching out to touch her head before eventually walking away. Balado proceeded with the rest of her report.
In a subsequent video segment, Balado addressed the incident, describing it as “very unpleasant,” particularly when she was working. The camera panned to show the man standing on the street with another individual, and he attempted to approach Balado again before she requested to end the broadcast.
The incident drew widespread condemnation, including from Spanish politicians such as labor minister Yolanda Díaz, who decried the incident as an example of the persistence of machismo and the need for accountability.
Equality minister Irene Montero emphasized that non-consensual touching constitutes sexual violence and called for unequivocal consent.
The man was arrested and taken into custody, with Spain’s national police sharing a video of his arrest. However, on the following day, he was released by the Madrid magistrate’s court without imposing precautionary measures, as there was deemed to be no ongoing threat to the victim.
According to the High Court of Justice of Madrid, the investigation and legal proceedings will continue. Balado’s colleagues expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision to release the suspect.
This incident occurred in the midst of a broader reckoning in Spain concerning sexual assault and gender-based violence. It follows accusations against Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish soccer federation, for an unwanted kiss on Women’s World Cup winner Jennifer Hermoso, which ultimately led to his resignation. Hermoso had vehemently denied giving consent for the kiss.