Dani Alves Released on Bail Pending Appeal in Rape Case
Convicted rapist and former Brazil international Dani Alves was released from prison near Barcelona on Monday after posting the one-million-euro bail set by a court to ensure his release pending appeal.
Alves, one of the world’s most decorated footballers, walked out of the Brians 2 prison in San Esteban Sasroviras near Barcelona, an AFP correspondent at the scene said.
The 39-year-old was arrested in January and charged with sexually assaulting a woman in a nightclub in Barcelona on December 30. He has denied the allegations.
On February 20, a court in Barcelona ordered Alves to be held in pre-trial detention without bail, citing the risk of flight and the severity of the charges.
However, on Monday, the court granted Alves’s appeal for release pending trial. The court set a bail of one million euros, which Alves’s lawyers paid.
Alves is now required to surrender his passport and appear before the court regularly. He is also prohibited from contacting the alleged victim or entering the nightclub where the incident allegedly occurred.
The trial date has not yet been set. If convicted, Alves could face up to 12 years in prison.
Alves has had a distinguished career, winning numerous titles with Barcelona, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain. He also played for the Brazilian national team, winning the Copa America twice.
His arrest and conviction have shocked the football world and raised questions about the safety of women in nightclubs.
