Mossos d’Esquadra confirmed this week that security camera footage from the Sutton nightclub corroborates the accuser’s account, reinforcing the claim tied to the Barcelona incident involving the professional footballer. The case remains central to the ongoing proceedings in the Barcelona Court, where the prosecution is seeking a nine-year prison term in connection with the alleged rape.
During the second session of the Alves case, a group of Mossos d’Esquadra officers testified about how the victim, who was described as being in shock and fainting at several moments, faced initial hesitation in reporting the incident. She had feared disbelief and the possibility that her identity would become public. Witnesses noted that she expressed only a desire for justice, not financial compensation.
One officer, who recorded the initial police statement, indicated that the testimony was supported by the nightclub’s video footage, which captured events before and after the victim entered the Sutton bathrooms. This account formed a key part of the evidence presented to corroborate the complaint.
Another officer from Mossos’ Central Unit Against Sexual Assault (UCAS) described how the team initially tried to reassure the victim before formal statements were taken. When the details emerged, the investigation revealed the emotional impact of the assault on the young woman, illustrating how the narrative unfolded under pressure.
The Mossos explained the dynamics surrounding reporting—what might happen if the complaint was filed, and the fear that the victim would not be believed or would be identified publicly. She felt powerless because the defendant held public prominence, a factor repeatedly noted during conversations with the investigators.
Medical and protective care teams at the nightclub described the victim as being in a state of distress, crying and unable to articulate statements clearly. Counselors and officers worked to calm her enough to convey the essential facts, with the victim emphasizing that her aim was justice rather than compensation.
Two friends of the victim and other witnesses later described her courage in pursuing the case despite the heavy media attention surrounding the defendant, who is widely recognized as a public figure. They recalled her concern about how reporting might affect her personal safety and privacy, given the public profile of the alleged attacker.
Officials also disclosed the emotional burden the victim carried, including feelings of guilt about the incident. Investigators stressed that Dani Alves was the alleged perpetrator, and that every step of the process was handled with attention to the victim’s experience, emphasizing that victims deserve respect and proper support from authorities.
UCAS’s leadership provided crucial context regarding the arrest logistics. The coordination occurred at the lawyer’s office in Barcelona, with the footballer traveling from Mexico to attend UNAM’s matches with Pumas. The authorities subsequently arranged a controlled process to avoid additional public disturbance, mindful of the media environment surrounding the case.
News from the authorities indicates that an agreement was reached with Alves’ legal team to manage the arrest discreetly in light of the case’s media sensitivity and to safeguard the victim’s identity. A police officer involved in the arrest confirmed that the decision to conduct a discreet detention stemmed from directives issued by higher authorities to protect all parties involved.
The accuser’s encounter near the nightclub
The victim identified Alves to the facility manager and others as he was leaving Sutton, a moment witnessed by the manager and several friends. The manager testified that Alves was a regular patron, and he provided a detailed account of his actions after the incident became apparent. He explained that the moment the victim was crying, he approached her and her companions to offer help, noting that she was not ready to speak at length at that time.
According to the Sutton manager, Alves did not engage in goodbye exchanges as he left the venue. The victim later reported that she had suffered a sexual assault and that the evidence pointed to him as the person she had identified, particularly given his familiar presence at the club and the emotional state she displayed.
The manager described the victim as deeply distressed and eager to return home, with staff insisting on obtaining more information about what had occurred. He recalled that the victim, in her discussions with staff, said she felt unable to be believed due to the potential public exposure of the incident.
Witnesses indicated that the nightclub staff activated the established safety protocol and contacted emergency services after the disclosure. When questioned about filing a formal complaint, the victim indicated hesitation, primarily due to concerns about credibility and retaliation. Several testimonies echoed this hesitation, underscoring the fear that public attention would complicate her life.
In the testimony from Sutton’s personnel, Alves appeared as a regular customer who night proved to be unusual in demeanor. Witnesses suggested he seemed unsettled, possibly intoxicated, which defense strategies referenced as a potential mitigating factor in sentencing. The defense did not pursue extensive cross-examination on that point, given the surrounding circumstances.
During the hearing, the Deputy Manager described a staff member who tended to the victim’s knee injury and who overheard discussions among Alves and his friends as they waited for the investigation to unfold. The witness recalled that the victim had indicated awareness of what had occurred but later clarified that she did not want the encounter to proceed and regretted being present at the scene.
The session also included accounts that the room had been heavily emotional at the time, with staff noting that the victim cried uncontrollably. In the same testimony, two friends and additional witnesses supported the claim that the assault occurred and that the victim felt unable to come forward easily in a climate of potential ridicule or disbelief. These narratives reinforced the importance of protecting the victim’s identity and ensuring fair treatment within the legal process.