A Spanish court denied Daniel Alves’ appeal on Tuesday (21) to be released on bail while the investigation into a sexual assault allegation against the football player is ongoing.
The court decided that there is a flight risk for the player, so he must remain in jail during the investigation. The date for the trial has not yet been set.
Daniel was provisionally detained on January 20 in Barcelona after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a nightclub in the city on December 30. He denied any wrongdoing and stated that the sex with the woman who accuses him was consensual.
Daniel’s lawyers filed the appeal saying that the Brazilian agreed to surrender his passport and wear a tracking device if released. He would also present himself to the court and authorities whenever necessary, including daily.
But the court found that these measures would not be sufficient to prevent the player from attempting to escape. Considerable evidence that the crime may have actually been committed was also taken into account.
“Nothing would prevent Mr. Alves from leaving Spain by air, sea, or even land without documentation and reaching his home country, where he will not be handed over to Spain, even with international arrest warrants or extradition orders,” the court said.
Brazil does not extradite its own citizens when they are convicted in other countries. Another former Brazilian player, Robinho, was sentenced to nine years for the rape of a young woman in Italy last year, but he remains free in Brazil.
Daniel has the right to appeal again while the court decides if and when a trial will begin.
According to Spain’s sexual consent law, passed last year, sexual assault includes a wide range of crimes, from online abuse and groping to rape, each with different possible punishments. A rape case can carry a maximum sentence of 15 years.
Source: AP