Dani Alves appears in court for sexual assault trial

Famous footballer Dani Alves, who has been in prison for 13 months on charges of sexual assault, will appear in court today as part of the trial.

The case file against the 40-year-old Alves includes video footage and witness testimonies as evidence. It is alleged that Dani Alves sexually assaulted a 23-year-old woman he met at a nightclub in Barcelona on December 30, 2022. According to the statements, Alves bought drinks for her and her friends, and later asked the young woman to accompany him to the restroom.

According to the young woman's statement, Alves first requested sexual intercourse; when she refused, he committed sexual assault. Dani Alves has changed his account of the events multiple times. In his initial statement to the police in January 2023, Alves claimed he had never met the woman accusing him, but later provided different accounts.

Alves first claimed they went to the restroom but nothing happened, then claimed they had sexual contact, and finally claimed that the encounter was consensual. Having changed his lawyer three times throughout the proceedings, Alves stated that he changed his statements because he did not want his wife to find out.

9 YEARS IN PRISON

Most recently, Dani Alves claimed he did not remember what happened because he was heavily intoxicated. Alves' requests for release pending trial have been denied so far. Dani Alves is being tried with a potential sentence of up to 12 years in prison. Having been held in custody for over a year, Alves could face another 9 years in prison if convicted.

The Brazilian footballer was detained and arrested in January 2023. His most recent club, the Mexican team UNAM, terminated his contract, and his wife, Joana Sanz, filed for divorce.

News Source: 12punto