Soccer
Dani Alves indicted by the Spanish Court for alleged sexual assault in Barcelona
Spanish justice finds enough evidence to trial Brazilian football player Dani Alves for sexual assault at Sutton nightclub, Barcelona, December 2022.
The 15th Investigative Court has indicted Dani Alves for the alleged rape at the Sutton nightclub in Barcelona on December 30. The judicial entity has concluded the investigation and found “indications that he allegedly sexually assaulted a 23-year-old woman,” as reported by El Mundo.
The case’s judge, Concepción Cantón, summoned the Brazilian to make an interrogatory statement before concluding the judicial summary on Wednesday, August 2, at 12:30. During his appearance, Alves can provide additional comments, if deemed pertinent, and request further evidence. At the end of the statement, he will be informed if he is being prosecuted.
Once this is confirmed, the next step will be for the Prosecutor’s Office and the private prosecution to formulate written requests for penalties against Alves. Cristóbal Martell, Dani Alves’ lawyer, will also do the same, presumably seeking an acquittal for his client by arguing that the sexual relations were consensual and accepted by the complainant.
The Barcelona Court of Appeals will establish the trial date once the requests for penalties have been completed. Estimated dates currently being considered range from late 2023 to early 2024, coinciding with the one-year mark since the former footballer’s detention in Brians 2 prison, where he is held in pretrial detention.
Alves has requested his provisional release from the judge on two occasions in separate appeals, citing his roots in Barcelona and arguing for restrictive measures to ensure his stay in Spain. Even his ex-wife and children traveled to Catalunia to demonstrate that his life was centered there. However, the judge denied this request on both occasions.