Dani Alves' lawyer argues client on remand for alleged sexual assault not a flight risk

Former FC Barcelona footballer Dani Alves' lawyer argued in a Barcelona court this Friday that his client should be released from prison, where he has been on remand for an alleged sexual assault since January 20, because he is not a flight risk.

Cristóbal Martell, the attorney for the player accused of raping a woman in a nightclub last December, cited the fact that Alves' two teenage children are enrolled in schools in Catalonia as proof his client would not leave the country.

This is Martell's second attempt to have Alves released from preventive detention after an unsuccessful bid a month ago.

Both the private and public prosecutors, on the other hand, argued the dual Brazilian-Spanish national could possibly attempt to leave the country were he to be released from prison; Alves, who at the time of the alleged incident was playing for Mexico's Pumas, had initially expressed his desire to return.

They also argued that Alves' children were only enrolled in Barcelona-area schools a month ago, do not currently live in Spain, and said that Alves' financial capacity means they could all easily return to their country of origin if they wanted to.

The private and public prosecutors said Alves would not have to remain in preventive prison for much longer as the case will go to trial once a psychological evaluation of the victim is carried out.

Alves is accused of raping a young woman in the bathroom of the VIP area of Barcelona's Sutton nightclub on December 30. 

The player's 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.