Dani Alves case: on the last day of his trial, the ex-Barcelona star denies any accusation of rape
The trial of Dani Alves for rape ended this Wednesday, February 7 after a hearing during which the ex-star of the Barcelona football club denied the rape accusations outright. After three days of hearings, Dani Alves returned to preventive prison awaiting his verdict.
Football player Dani Alves during his trial. Photo taken February 5, 2024. AP - Alberto Estevez
By: RFI Follow
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With our correspondent in Barcelona
,
Elise Gazengel
Dani Alves
denied everything. In his last statement from the dock this Wednesday, the footballer
disputed every detail
provided by the alleged victim during the first day of the trial. No, she didn't tell him she wanted to get out of that toilet. No, he didn't slap her. No, he didn't force her. “
I’m not that type of man
,” he said.
Handcuffed, dressed in a white sweater and wearing glasses, the 40-year-old ex-player claimed that the complainant had “
at no time (...) said anything
” to leave. “
If she wanted to leave, she could leave at any time, she didn't have to be there
,” added the former right-back.
Then the Brazilian burst into tears twice. The first when he remembered that he had learned of the accusations in the press and then when he spoke about his economic situation. “
I’m practically ruined
,” he assured.
A “
situation of anxiety and terror
”
In her indictment, the prosecutor, who is demanding nine years in prison, cited an “
absolutely credible
” account from the victim. For its part, the charge requires the maximum, 12 years in prison. She also underlined the “
courage
” of the complainant for whom this trial was “
very hard
”.
According to the indictment, Dani Alves, who was then in Barcelona after participating in the World Cup in Qatar, was in this nightclub with a friend. After offering champagne to the complainant, her cousin and a friend, he allegedly invited her to dance, then to accompany him to an adjoining room with a toilet. Alves would then have forced her to have sexual relations, according to the prosecution, which describes a “
situation of anxiety and terror
” for the young woman.
As for the footballer's lawyer, she pleads for acquittal and considers that the victim provided a “
directed and mediated
” story.
The verdict is expected in the coming weeks.
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