By Our Reporter
Brazilian footballer Dani Alves has been released from prison after paying one million euros in bail to be set free while appealing against a rape conviction, a Spanish court said.
The former Barcelona player also handed over his passports, with prosecutors having argued against releasing him on bail because of a possible flight risk.
Alves last month was found guilty of raping a woman in a nightclub in December 2022 and sentenced to four years, six months in prison. He denied wrongdoing during the three-day trial.
The 40-year-old had spent the last 14 months in the Brians II prison located 45 minutes from Barcelona, since he was detained preventively by authorities investigating the rape accusation against him.
Alves is not allowed to leave Spain and is prohibited from approaching or communicating with the victim.
Alves’ release coincided with a protest outside Brians II by prison officers who have been demanding better conditions in jails in north-eastern Catalonia following the killing of a prison cook by an inmate at another jail.
Alves is required to come to the court every Friday, and any other time when ordered to do so. He also is required to provide a phone number so he can be contacted and located.
The Brazilian player is not allowed to be within one kilometre of the victim’s residence, work place or any other location where she usually goes.