Spanish court denies Dani Alves appeal to be freed

Dani Alves will stay in jail after Spanish court denied his appeal to be freed on bail as investigation into a sexual assault accusation continues.

The Barcelona court stated that Alves should be detained until the investigation is fully over.

The Brazilian was detained after alleged sexual assault on woman on December 30. The ex-Barcelona player denied all the claims, stating that the sex had been consensual.

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Dani Alves sentenced to 4 and a half years in prison over rape case

Alves’ lawyers have tried to discredit the victim’s testimony by showing security camera footage, where the couple could be seen flirting. However, the court has dismissed those evidence, stating that flirting should not justify an eventual sexual assault.

Under Spain’s sexual consent law passed last year, sexual assault takes in a wide array of crimes from online abuse and groping to rape, each with different possible punishments. A case of rape can receive a maximum sentence of 15 years.