Famous footballer faces judge

The trial of former footballer Daniel Alves da Silva (Dani Alves), who has been held in custody for over a year on charges of sexually assaulting a woman at an entertainment venue in Barcelona, Spain, has begun. In the case heard at the Barcelona Provincial Court, prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of up to 12 years for Alves.

GREAT INTEREST FROM THE PRESS

270 members of the press have been accredited to cover the trial. Alves, who was brought to the court from prison in a Catalan police van, was wearing jeans and a white shirt. By a decision of the presiding judge, measures were taken to protect the privacy of the victim. It was stated that the victim would speak using a voice-altering device while giving her testimony.

The prosecution has requested a 9-year prison sentence for Alves, while the plaintiff's lawyer has requested 12 years. Additionally, the prosecution and the plaintiff's lawyer have demanded that Alves pay 150 thousand euros in compensation. The requests also include measures such as keeping the former footballer under judicial supervision for 10 years after completing his sentence and prohibiting him from approaching within 1 kilometer of the victim.

TRIED FOR ASSAULTING A 23-YEAR-OLD WOMAN

Alves, who is accused of sexually assaulting a 23-year-old woman at a nightclub in Barcelona on the night of December 30, 2022, was detained and subsequently arrested after arriving in Barcelona from Mexico on January 20, 2023. Alves, who changed his testimony 5 times, admitted to having sexual relations but stated that he had lied in his initial statements to hide his infidelity from his wife and to protect her. In the trial, where 28 witnesses are planned to be heard so far, Alves's wife, model Joana Sanz, will also testify.

Defense attorney Ines Guardiola claimed that her client's judicial and police records had been leaked to the press, arguing that this situation amounted to "a trial by media for Alves." Following the incident, Alves's contract with the Mexican team UNAM, where he was playing, was terminated.