Dani Alves, a former football star, was originally convicted in February 2024 of raping a woman at a nightclub. However, the Barcelona-based appeals court recently overturned this conviction, citing a lack of sufficient evidence and inconsistencies between the woman's testimony and video footage. This landmark case occurred after Spain's 2022 legal reforms emphasizing that consent must be clearly expressed, following societal debates on sexual violence. Despite prosecutors seeking a longer sentence, Alves was released on bail after over a year in jail, sparking ongoing discussions about legal definitions of consent and justice in sexual assault cases.
The Barcelona-based appeals court ruled unanimously to overturn Dani Alves's conviction, citing insufficient evidence and discrepancies between the plaintiff’s testimony and video footage.
The ruling came after Alves's three-day trial, where he denied wrongdoing. The judges highlighted notable differences between the plaintiff's account and available evidence.
This case marks a significant moment in Spanish law and judicial proceedings, as it was the first high-profile trial since the implementation of the 'only yes means yes' law.
After spending over a year in prison, Alves was released on bail pending appeal, having to pay $1.2 million and surrender his passports due to flight risk concerns.
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