Former Barcelona and Brazil defender Dani Alves, who had been sentenced to four years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman at a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022, has been released on £860,000 bail while awaiting appeal. Alves, 40, paid the bail and surrendered his passports following the court’s decision in Spain.
He had spent the last 14 months in prison after being detained preventively by authorities investigating the rape accusation against him. Alves had repeatedly sought bail, which was previously denied due to concerns about him being a flight risk. However, a court finally granted bail last week, noting a reduced flight risk.
Prosecutors had sought to keep Alves jailed, citing a potential risk of flight, especially considering Brazil’s non-extradition policy for its citizens. They argued that the risk of flight increased after Alves was found guilty. Despite this, the court decided to release him on bail.
The appeals trial is yet to be scheduled, with Alves’ lawyers aiming for acquittal while prosecutors seek a longer sentence. No date has been set for the appeals trial at a higher court in Barcelona. After that, the case could go to the Spanish Supreme Court in Madrid.
Alves’ release on bail comes amid a legal battle where prosecutors want his prison sentence increased to nine years, while the victim’s lawyer seeks a sentence of 12 years. The outcome of the appeals trial will determine Alves’ legal fate regarding the sexual assault conviction.
