Judge keeps Dani Alves in preventive detention for alleged sexual assault

A Barcelona judge refused a request for release from Dani Alves' lawyer on Tuesday, meaning the former FC Barcelona footballer remains in preventive detention over an alleged sexual assault. 

The Brazilian has been in prison since January 20, accused of raping a 23-year-old woman on the night of December 30 in the toilets of the Sutton nightclub in Barcelona. 

Alves' defense had asked for his release arguing that there had been sexual relations between Alves and the woman but that it had been consensual. 

The judge dismissed the request, which was also opposed by the prosecution, who maintain that Alves represents a flight risk. 

Release request 

On April 20, Alves' defense asked for his release, three days after he had testified in court for a second time, this time at his request. 

The defense's request was accompanied by a 200-page report analyzing the security camera footage from the nightclub and a 12-minute video summary. 

According to the defense, some parts of the woman's account before and after the alleged assault do not match the images, which they say lowers her credibility. 

Alves lawyers also argued that the footballer does not pose a flight risk and that his financial capacity has decreased significantly following the accusation. 

Alves acknowledges penetration 

Alves' official version of events to the court has changed four times to date. In his latest account, in April, Alves acknowledged that he penetrated the woman accusing him of sexual assault, having previously denied any sexual relations. 

That admission came after his DNA was found on the woman's body and clothes. 

The ex-Barça footballer remains in Brians 2 prison.