Tuesday, a Spanish court rejected Dani Alves’ request to be released on bond while the Brazilian soccer player’s alleged sexual assault is being investigated.
The court decided that because Alves posed a flight risk, he must be held in custody throughout the investigation. No trial has been scheduled.
After being accused of sexually abusing a lady at a nightclub on December 30, Alves was placed under temporary arrest in January. He has stated that intercourse with the complainant was consensual and denied any misconduct.
After reviewing the results of the original police investigation and hearing testimony from Alves, the accused victim, and other witnesses, a judge issued an order for him to be detained without bail.
According to Alves’ attorneys, if released from prison, he agreed to surrender his passport and wear a tracking device. Alves would also go no closer than 500 yards from the accuser, her residence, or place of employment. She would also report to the court and authorities as often as necessary, up to and including daily.
But, the court determined that given that the player may spend several years in prison if proven guilty, those precautions would not be sufficient to prevent him from possibly attempting to flee. Additionally, it stated that Alves’ riches might make it simpler for him to try to elude capture regardless of the size of bail and that there was strong evidence suggesting that a crime may have been committed.
Nothing would prevent Mr. Alves from relocating to his country of origin without proper documentation and leaving Spain by air, sea, or even land, the court ruled. There, he could remain secure in the knowledge that he would not be returned to Spain despite international arrest warrants or extradition orders.
When its own nationals are found guilty abroad and sentenced there, Brazil does not extradite them. A top Italian court affirmed Robinho’s nine-year sentence for the rape of a young woman in Italy last year, although he is still free in Brazil. Robinho is another former player from Brazil.
As the court decides whether to schedule a trial, the 39-year-old Alves may file another appeal.
According to Spain’s sexual consent law, which was established last year, sexual assault includes a broad range of offenses, from online abuse and groping to rape, each with a variety of potential penalties. The maximum punishment for a rape conviction is 15 years.
Alves has won 42 championships, including two Copa Americas with Brazil and three Champions Leagues with Barcelona. He participated in his third World Cup in Qatar last year.
