Warning: contains graphic detail of an alleged crime
Dani Alves crossed the corridor separating the cells from the courtroom surrounded by police officers and with his hands tied. He was wearing a white turtleneck jumper and the glasses he had worn the day before.
The crowd in the hall of the High Court of Justice of Catalonia suddenly fell silent. It was only the second time that accredited media had been able to see him in person, and he had previously been transferred from the cells up to the courtroom via a lift to which only the police had access.
“Do you feel like talking?” a member of the press asked. Alves nodded.
Wednesday was the final day of Alves’ trial for allegedly raping a 23-year-old woman on the night of December 30, 2022 at the Sutton nightclub in Barcelona. The former Barcelona and Brazil player has repeatedly denied the charges against him.
On Monday, five people testified: the alleged victim, her friend, her cousin, and a waiter and a doorman from the nightclub. On Monday morning, Alves’ defence team requested that he testify last and on the trial’s final day.
Tuesday saw 21 witnesses take the stand. Among the most prominent were Joana Sanz, Alves’ wife, and Bruno Brasil, the friend who was with the footballer on the night in question.
Alves, 40,…
