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Former Brazil and FC Barcelona defender Dani Alves has been exonerated in the rape case, which got him a four-and-a-half-year of jail sentence in February 2024. The Brazilian was set free from jail in March 2024 after he paid a one-million euro bail bond set by the court. Alves was accused of sexually harassing a young woman in the VIP bathroom of the iconic Barcelona nightclub on December 31, 2022. The appeal court remarked that the ruling in the original court case includes a series of inaccuracies, inconsistencies, and contradictions related to the facts, the legal assessments, and their outcomes.
The court also added that its four judges unanimously accepted the 41-year-old’s appeal and also quashed his punishment. The court also dismissed the appeal lodged by public prosecutors, who were demanding a nine-year jail punishment for the defender. The court added that the victim’s complaint hasn’t gone through scrutiny and it hasn’t been substantiated with the fingerprint and biological evidence, which backs the defence’s argument in the case. As per the initial court, Alves reportedly held the woman roughly, threw her to the ground, and continued assaulting her ignoring protests that she wanted to leave. Replying to these accusations, the former Barca stalwart claimed that she could have left "if she really wanted to."
Alves "contented" following the court declaration
The Catalan court has lifted all restrictions on the Brazilian. He was handed a restraining order and travel ban previously. The prosecutors can now appeal against the decision in the Supreme Court. "Alves is very happy. He is innocent, that is demonstrated. Justice has spoken," said the footballer’s lawyer Ines Guardiola to RAC1 radio.
Alves achieved title success with Barcelona, Juventus, and Sevilla during his distinguished club career. He also contributed to Brazil’s couple of Copa America victories and an Olympic gold medal win at the final stage of his stint in the national side.
