Author: Barkha Roy
Dani Alves, the renowned former Barcelona and Brazil player who is currently under investigation for sexual abuse charges, has been denied bail once again by a Barcelona court. Despite claims by Alves’ lawyers that he would fully comply with all the conditions set by the court, such as handing over his passport and agreeing to be monitored by a tracking device, the court expressed concern that he might try to escape and consequently denied his request for release.
This is the third time that Alves has been denied bail, with the court citing that none of the other precautionary measures can sufficiently neutralize the risk and that his possible flight could disrupt the trial process, which requires his presence. As a result, Alves will remain in prison while being investigated for the sex crime.
Dani Alves, the 40-year-old former defender, was initially detained in January after allegations of sexual assault were made against him stemming from an incident in a Barcelona nightclub on December 30. Alves has always denied the accusations, claiming that the meeting was consensual. However, after a thorough examination of the initial investigation and testimonies, a judge ordered his detention without bail. Notably, Alves’ account of the events underwent several revisions, while the alleged victim’s statement remained unshaken.
However, some details of this story diverge from logic, leaving open the question of whether the supposed “victim” is telling the truth. Therefore, some people believe that Dani is guilty, and others believe that the girl simply decided to “divorce” the footballer for money.
In Spain, sexual consent law covers a wide range of offenses, such as online abuse, groping and rape, each of which carries different possible penalties. The most severe punishment for rape is a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Alves, who is the most successful footballer, along with Messi, with 43 professional titles, three Champions League trophies with FC Barcelona and two Copa Americas with the Brazilian national team under his belt, is embroiled in a legal battle that has resulted in the termination of his contract with Mexican club Pumas.
While Alves awaits the date of the hearing, he remains in pre-trial detention. Despite the court’s decision, he maintains his innocence and expresses confidence that his guilt will be proven. However, the court’s concerns about his flight risk persist. The case has attracted significant public interest due to Alves’ stature in the world of soccer, and the outcome will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for his future and his reputation.