Update on Dani Alves Court Appearance and Release Request
In a new court filing this Thursday, former Barcelona player Dani Alves formally requested his release, while a growing body of documents challenges the prosecution’s portrayal of risk and circumstances surrounding the case. The new materials include surveillance footage from the Sutton nightclub in Barcelona and a comprehensive expert analysis of the commercial records of companies Alves worked with, which his legal team says contradict parts of the accusation and the events as described earlier. The update also notes a decline in income following his imprisonment after sponsorship deals were terminated in January.
Since Alves had requested a fresh statement last week, anticipated to lead to another freedom request soon, the latest filing reveals a clarification of details from the night of December 31. Alves acknowledges a consensual encounter that began in the early hours near the club, with the complainant a 23-year-old woman who later pressed charges. In the first questioning upon entry to custody, the defendant reportedly gave inconsistent statements, initially denying familiarity with the woman and later offering alternate explanations. The narrative now includes reference to sexual activity that occurred after an initial moment of uncertainty, with Alves asserting that his account is supported by the recorded footage and other exhibits that have been submitted.
Based on this statement and the analysis of security camera footage from within the venue, Alves’ counsel has urged the judge to grant release on the grounds that there is insufficient flight risk and that the defendant maintains strong ties to Barcelona, the city where he built much of his professional life. Sources close to Alves indicated the athlete and his former partner, who continues to manage his affairs, enrolled their two children in a Catalan international school with the aim of relocating the family from Brazil to Catalonia. Those sources stressed that the relocation plan aligns with the children’s desire to pursue higher education in Barcelona. This potential relocation consideration does not appear in the court file presented on Thursday, but it remains a point of contention for the defense. [Citation: EL PERIÓDICO]
Removal from justice
The defense challenges center on the legal standards for flight risk and the perceived stability of roots in Spain. The judge, however, upheld the decision to detain Alves, citing robust evidence and the immediate risks involved. The prosecutor and court officials note that the existence of substantial grounds is necessary to justify temporary detention, a standard that the defense argues does not apply given Alves’ ties to Barcelona and his current circumstances. The court’s stance suggests that the risk of evading justice remains a critical factor in the decision, even as the defense continues to press for reconsideration. [Citation: EL PERIÓDICO]
According to Togada, the belief in flight risk persists because Alves holds economic means that could facilitate an exit. Despite living outside Spain for periods and having Brazilian citizenship, the court weighed the possibility of relocation as part of the broader assessment. The defense submitted a deed showing ownership of a property in Esplugues de Llobregat, but the judge concluded that this was not enough to demonstrate sustained roots or prevent the defendant from leaving if circumstances changed. The same reasoning has echoes in the Barcelona judicial circle, reinforcing the ruling to keep Alves detained while the case proceeds. [Citation: EL PERIÓDICO]