This is how Dani Alves is after a year in prison: the trial against him for sexual assault begins in Spain

Footballer Dani Alves appeared this Monday at the Barcelona Provisional Court escorted by the Mossos d’Esquadra from Brians 2 prison to begin the trial against him for sexual assault. .

The Brazilian entered the visiting room through an interior access in order to avoid meeting the more than 270 journalists accredited to follow the process. When he entered, he was seen serious, with his head down and wearing jeans, a white shirt and sneakers. .

This is the first time he can be seen after spending more than a year in preventive detention for being the alleged perpetrator of a crime of sexual assault. . He faces a request from the prosecution for nine years in prison, to which will be added 10 years of supervised release and compensation to the victim of 150,000 euros. Furthermore, the private accusation, brought by the complainant, brings the sentence to 12 years, the maximum sentence provided for this type of crime.

Recall that Alves was sent to prison on January 20, 2023, after a young woman reported him to the police for having been sexually assaulted by the footballer at the Sutton nightclub in the early hours of December 31, 2022. Although the Brazilian’s defense repeatedly requested preventive detention, the competent judge rejected the arguments, alleging the high risk of escape and the constant changes in the version he gave during the first months. .

During the day this Monday Alves’ lawyer Inés Guardiola asks Barcelona court to cancel sexual assault trial . He also asked that his client testify last. Thus, the footballer would speak on Wednesday afternoon.

His defense arguments consisted of detailing the fundamental rights that he said were violated in this case, such as the presumption of innocence due to the “parallel judgment” of public opinion.

Furthermore, the lawyer added that the investigating judge was “contaminated” by the media and that there was a “flagrant” violation of the rights of the defense, adding that Alves did not have a “fair” trial nor “with all guarantees”. »

On the other hand, the prosecution argued that at no time were Alves’ fundamental rights violated because the investigation was carried out correctly. .

The three different versions that the footballer gave during his first statement also stand out.

And, with reference to the parallel trials defended by the defense, he affirms that the leaks occurred on both sides and that the case had great repercussions due to the figure of the accused.

After the presentation of both parties, The Court indicated that it does not accept the annulment of the trial for violation of fundamental rights .