Dani Alves denied bail for 3rd time

The Barcelona Court of Appeal has once again denied the bail requested by former Barca player Dani Alves, accused of sexually assaulting a young woman in a discotheque last December, as there is still a risk of absconding, which is even increased given the proximity of the trial.

This is the third time that the Barcelona Court of Appeal has rejected the Brazilian player's appeals against the prison order issued by the investigating judge, who sent him to prison, where he has been held since 20th January at the Brians 2 penitentiary centre.

In this last order, against which an appeal can be lodged within 3 days, section 21 of the Barcelona High Court denies the request for bail made by Alves on 7th November and keeps the player in pre-trial detention, without bail.

The Barcelona Court of Appeal argues in this ruling, contrary to the criteria put forward by the Brazilian's defence, that the risk of absconding does persist, given that the circumstances have not changed. On the contrary, says the court, insofar as the opening of the oral trial against Alves has been agreed, the Public Prosecutor's Office has already presented an indictment - in which it asks for 9 years in prison - and, given the proximity of the trial, this "only increases the risk of absconding".

"None of the alternative measures" proposed at the time by the player's defence "could avoid the risk of absconding. Only pre-trial detention will be able to avoid this risk", the order states. The Barcelona Court of Appeal also rejects the alleged rootedness in our country alleged by the defence of the former Barcelona player after he brought his children to Spain.