Spanish prosecutors plan to challenge a court ruling that overturned the rape conviction of former Brazilian footballer Dani Alves, a three-time Champions League winner with Barcelona. Alves was found guilty last year of raping a young woman in a Spanish nightclub and sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison. However, a Barcelona appeals court recently overturned the verdict, citing inconsistencies in the trial and insufficient evidence to prove Alves’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The court also deemed the accuser as an “unreliable complainant” whose testimony differed from video evidence.
The public prosecutor’s office in Catalonia confirmed its intention to appeal the ruling. In response to the decision, protests erupted in Barcelona, with feminist groups condemning the ruling and demanding justice for the victim. Deputy Prime Minister Maria Jesus Montero expressed disappointment in the court’s decision, emphasizing the importance of believing and supporting rape victims.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, known for his feminist stance, has prioritized combating sexual violence. His administration reformed the criminal code in 2022 to classify all non-consensual sex as rape, prompted by a high-profile gang rape case in Pamplona.
Alves, now 41, was arrested in 2023 and spent over a year in jail before being released on bail while awaiting the appeal outcome. The case has sparked national debate on the treatment of rape victims and the presumption of innocence.