Spanish prosecutors are preparing to appeal a Barcelona appeals court ruling that annulled the rape conviction of former footballer Dani Alves. Alves had been sentenced to four-and-a-half years for raping a woman in 2022, but the court found inconsistencies in the testimony and evidence. Protesters rallied in Barcelona against the ruling, denouncing it as unacceptable and questioning the justice system's treatment of sexual assault cases. Deputy Prime Minister Maria Jesus Montero criticized the emphasis on presumption of innocence over the testimony of victims, highlighting the ongoing societal debate surrounding sexual violence and victim rights.
The Barcelona appeals court described the accuser as an "unreliable complainant," emphasizing significant discrepancies between her testimony and available video evidence.
Demonstrators in Barcelona expressed outrage over the appeals court's decision, labeling it "unacceptable" and voicing their demands for the ruling to be overturned.
Deputy Prime Minister Maria Jesus Montero voiced concern that a rape victim's testimony is still under scrutiny, stating, "it’s a shame that presumption of innocence outweighs women's voices."
The public prosecutor's office plans to challenge the appeals court ruling while emphasizing the need for justice and accountability in sexual assault cases.
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