Dani Alves Acquitted of Rape by Spanish Court

Dani Alves, the former Barcelona footballer, has successfully appealed his February 2024 conviction for rape, with the Catalan High Court overturning the four-and-a-half-year prison sentence due to 'insufficient evidence' and noted inconsistencies in the complainant's testimony. Alves, who maintained his innocence throughout the trial, was previously found guilty of raping a 23-year-old woman at a nightclub in Barcelona on December 31, 2022. The court's ruling criticized the reliability of the evidence presented during the initial trial, stating it could not confirm the presumption of guilt. As a result of the appeal, Alves has been acquitted, and his bail conditions have been lifted. The court dismissed calls from public prosecutors for an increased prison term, affirming the defense's position. Alves had been on bail since March 2024 after posting €1 million while awaiting the appeal outcome.