Barcelona Court Grants Conditional Release for Dani Alves on Bail of €1,000,000 Following Sexual Assault Conviction
Following the conviction of former Brazilian international soccer player Dani Alves for sexual assault in late December 2022, a Barcelona court has ruled that he could be conditionally released from prison on a bail of €1,000,000 (one million euros), according to a statement from the court press office on Wednesday.
Background of Dani Alves’ Conviction
Alves, a decorated soccer player who has won domestic titles in Spain, Italy, and France, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison by the Barcelona provincial court on February 22, 2023. The assault took place at one of the city’s nightclubs.
Previous Incarceration and Bail Ruling Details
The court document reveals that Alves has already served 14 months in prison, including pre-trial detention since his arrest in Barcelona in January 2023 and more recently post-conviction. The court’s 13-page ruling on the bail states that if Alves pays the €1,000,000 bail amount, he would be required to surrender his Spanish and Brazilian passports and report weekly to the court.
Restrictions on Dani Alves
The court also imposed certain restrictions on Alves, including the condition that he cannot approach within a kilometer (roughly 0.6 miles) of the victim and is prohibited from having any communication of any kind with her.
Two Judges Approve Bail Ruling, One Dissents
The bail ruling was approved by two judges, while a third judge dissented. The decision can be appealed.
Court’s Ruling on the Assault
In the 61-page sentence from Alves’ trial, which was seen by News Finder, the three-judge panel found that the defendant had forcibly grabbed the woman, thrown her to the floor, and prevented her from moving, disregarding her repeated pleas to leave. The assault occurred despite the victim’s explicit refusal.
Alves’ Insistence of Consensual Relations
During the trial, Alves maintained that the sexual relations were consensual.
News Finder has reached out to lawyers for Alves and the victim, but no response was obtained at the time of publication. The 40-year-old Alves is considered one of the most accomplished soccer players of his generation, having won three Champions League titles with Barcelona (in 2009, 2011, and 2015) and the Copa América with Brazil (in 2007 and 2019).
The Importance of Consent in Sexual Relations
It is crucial to emphasize the significance of consent in sexual encounters. No means no, and every person has the right to freely give or withhold consent at any given moment. Sexual assault is a serious issue that can have devastating consequences for victims, and it’s essential to hold accountable those who commit such acts.
