By: Breaking News Desk
Date: October 26, 2026
In a significant development concerning high-profile judicial proceedings in Colombia, the Office of the Prosecutor General announced this Monday, October 26, that it will proceed with the formal imputation of charges against Hollman Morris, the former manager of the state-owned media system RTVC. The charges are tied to allegations of "violent sexual assault" (acto sexual violento) filed by journalist, columnist, and professor María Antonia García de la Torre.
The announcement marks a pivotal shift in a legal battle that has spanned over a decade, representing a critical advancement in the pursuit of justice for acts of sexual violence. Following the Prosecutor’s announcement, García de la Torre took to her social media platforms to address the public, emphasizing the emotional and procedural weight of this long-standing case.
The Core Allegations and Current Legal Status
The judicial proceedings revolve around an incident alleged to have occurred in Madrid, Spain, in December 2011. While the incident remained a private matter for several years, García de la Torre formally lodged a criminal complaint against Morris in 2019, initiating the formal investigative phase that has now culminated in the decision to impute charges.
Under the Colombian penal system, the "imputation of charges" (imputación de cargos) is the formal act by which the Prosecutor’s Office notifies a person that they are being investigated as an active participant in a crime. This step formally triggers the judicial phase where the defense and the prosecution will present their respective evidentiary arguments before a judge.
In her public statement, García de la Torre expressed a sense of resolve, framing the event not merely as a legal milestone but as the culmination of a "personal struggle" she has waged since the incident took place fifteen years ago. "I inform public opinion that today the Prosecutor’s Office announced the imputation of charges against Hollman Morris for the crime of violent sexual assault that occurred in Madrid in December 2011," she wrote.
She further underscored her commitment to the rule of law, stating, "This represents a crucial stage within the judicial process that I initiated with my criminal complaint against him in 2019. I trust fully in the justice system and in the decisions that it will take in accordance with the law."
A Chronology of a Long-Standing Legal Battle
To understand the gravity of the current developments, it is necessary to examine the timeline of the allegations and the subsequent judicial journey.
- December 2011: The alleged incident of violent sexual assault occurs in Madrid, Spain.
- 2011–2019: The period characterized by the survivor’s internal struggle and the eventual decision to seek justice through the formal legal system.
- 2019: María Antonia García de la Torre formally files a criminal complaint with the Colombian authorities against Hollman Morris.
- 2020–2025: The investigative phase. During these years, the Prosecutor’s Office conducted evidence-gathering, including testimonies and forensic psychological evaluations, to determine if there were sufficient grounds to proceed with a trial.
- March 2026: Heightened public and media scrutiny regarding the case intensifies as the judicial process reaches critical investigative milestones.
- October 26, 2026: The Office of the Prosecutor General officially announces the intent to impute charges against Morris, moving the case into the courtroom phase.
This timeline highlights the often-arduous path that victims of sexual violence face within the judicial system—a reality that has drawn significant attention from women’s rights organizations and journalistic guilds in Colombia.
Official Stance and Communication Protocol
In light of the intensity surrounding the announcement, García de la Torre has opted for a measured approach regarding her public presence. Recognizing the toll that such proceedings take on the individual, she announced that she will cease providing public statements or granting media interviews concerning the case.
"For the sake of my privacy and while the process moves forward, I will not give additional statements nor will I grant interviews," she stated in her communication.
To maintain the integrity of the judicial process and ensure that all information is handled through the appropriate legal channels, the survivor has designated María Camila Correa as her legal representative. All future queries, procedural updates, or media requests regarding her position are to be directed solely through this authorized legal counsel. This move is designed to shield the survivor from the potential revictimization that often occurs when cases of this nature become the subject of public debate and political polarization.
Implications for Public Integrity and the Legal System
The case against Hollman Morris carries significant weight, not only due to the nature of the alleged crime but also because of the public profile of the defendant. Morris, a prominent figure in Colombian politics and media, having served as a journalist, former Bogotá City Councilor, and most recently as the manager of RTVC (Radio Televisión Nacional de Colombia), represents a test of the justice system’s ability to act impartially regardless of a defendant’s professional stature or political influence.
The Impact on the #MeToo Movement in Colombia
The case is widely seen as a litmus test for the "No es hora de callar" (It is not time to be silent) movement, a campaign spearheaded by journalist Jineth Bedoya Lima, which seeks to support victims of sexual violence and combat the culture of silence surrounding such crimes in Colombia. The fact that a case involving allegations from over a decade ago has reached the stage of formal imputation provides a glimmer of hope to advocates who argue that the statute of limitations and procedural delays have historically served as shields for perpetrators.
The Professional and Political Fallout
Morris’s tenure as the head of RTVC has been marked by both professional achievements and intense political controversy. The formal imputation of charges for a crime as serious as sexual assault introduces a layer of ethical and professional scrutiny that could influence his public and political future. In a society increasingly focused on accountability, the judicial outcome of this case will undoubtedly serve as a precedent for how public officials are treated when faced with allegations of gender-based violence.
Institutional Trust and the Road Ahead
As the case moves toward the initial hearing, the eyes of the public and the legal community will remain fixed on the Prosecutor’s Office and the presiding judge. The burden of proof remains with the prosecution, and the defense is expected to challenge the evidence presented by the state.
The judicial process is, by design, deliberate. However, for survivors of sexual violence, the duration of these proceedings often creates a secondary burden. The commitment expressed by García de la Torre to "trust in the justice system" reflects a broader societal desire for institutions to function effectively in protecting the rights of victims and ensuring that the law is applied equitably.
While the legal proceedings are still in their early stages regarding the trial itself, the act of formal imputation is a victory for the legal strategy employed by the prosecution and the survivor’s legal team. It serves as an acknowledgment that the evidence gathered over the last seven years is sufficient to merit a formal courtroom proceeding.
As this story continues to develop, the focus will likely shift to the dates of the upcoming hearings and the defense’s strategy. For now, the case remains "in development," a standard term in journalism that reflects the ongoing nature of a story that is far from its conclusion. The outcome will eventually serve as a benchmark for how the Colombian legal system handles cases of sexual violence involving influential figures, potentially reshaping the landscape of gender-based legal accountability in the country for years to come.
Disclaimer: This report is based on information verified by the Prosecutor’s Office and public statements issued by the parties involved. As the case is currently in the judicial stage, further updates will be provided as they emerge from official court records.
