Dani Alves released from prison on $1 million bail

(Patria) - A court in Barcelona, which sentenced footballer Dani Alves to 4.5 years in prison for sexual assault, decided today that the Brazilian can be released on bail of $1.08 million.

Dani Alves (40) was previously sentenced to 4.5 years in prison for a sexual assault in Barcelona on December 30, 2022.

Alves can leave the prison in Barcelona, where he has been in custody for 14 months, if he pays bail of one million euros ($1.08 million) and surrenders his Spanish and Brazilian passports to the authorities.

The decision was made after the former Barcelona player promised the court on Tuesday that he would not flee if granted temporary release. The court had previously determined that there was a risk of flight in his case.

Alves was found guilty last month of raping a young woman in a nightclub in Barcelona, but he appealed the verdict of the High Court of Justice of Catalonia.

Under Spanish law, a prisoner cannot remain in custody for more than half of their sentence. However, since he has served only 14 months, he could legally remain in custody for another 13 months.

By the court's decision, Alves is also prohibited from contacting the victim and must report to the authorities every week.