Danis Alves Acquitted by Catalan High Court Amid Controversy
Political leaders respond to the recent ruling that overturned the conviction of the former Barcelona footballer for sexual assault.
Dani Alves, the former FC Barcelona footballer, has been acquitted by the Catalan High Court (Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Cataluña, TSJC), which overturned his previous conviction for the sexual assault of a 23-year-old woman in a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022. The court's ruling stated that the testimony of the accuser was not deemed "reliable" and outlined discrepancies in her account, leading to the decision to revoke the four-and-a-half-year prison sentence handed down by the Barcelona Court.
This decision is subject to appeal before the Supreme Court of Spain.
Alves, who had been in pretrial detention for fourteen months, was released on provisional bail in March 2024 after posting a bond of one million euros.
The initial conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred in the bathroom of a private area of the Sutton nightclub in Barcelona.
In response to the ruling, María Jesús Montero, the Secretary-General of the PSOE in Andalusia, criticized the verdict, describing it as a "shame" and expressing concern over the ongoing questioning of a victim's testimony.
Speaking at the PSOE Provincial Congress in Jaén, Montero emphasized the importance of defending women's rights and the dignity of all women who report sexual violence.
She expressed her solidarity with the young woman who made the allegation and highlighted her bravery in confronting figures of power.
Irene Montero, the former Minister of Equality and current MEP for Podemos, attributed responsibility for the ruling to the PSOE, recalling past political agreements between the PSOE and the PP regarding judicial matters.
In her remarks at a demonstration against transphobia in Madrid, she suggested that a political issue underlies the acquittal, alleging that there exists a faction within the judiciary that prioritizes its stance over women's sexual autonomy.
Countering these views, Cuca Gamarra, the Secretary-General of the PP, condemned Montero's criticisms directed at the judiciary as "populist" and an affront to basic democratic principles, asserting that undermining the presumption of innocence threatens the rule of law.
Gamarra stressed that such statements detract from essential legal protections and demanded respect for judicial integrity.
This exchange highlights the ongoing political and social tensions surrounding issues of gender, power, and legal rights in Spain.
This decision is subject to appeal before the Supreme Court of Spain.
Alves, who had been in pretrial detention for fourteen months, was released on provisional bail in March 2024 after posting a bond of one million euros.
The initial conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred in the bathroom of a private area of the Sutton nightclub in Barcelona.
In response to the ruling, María Jesús Montero, the Secretary-General of the PSOE in Andalusia, criticized the verdict, describing it as a "shame" and expressing concern over the ongoing questioning of a victim's testimony.
Speaking at the PSOE Provincial Congress in Jaén, Montero emphasized the importance of defending women's rights and the dignity of all women who report sexual violence.
She expressed her solidarity with the young woman who made the allegation and highlighted her bravery in confronting figures of power.
Irene Montero, the former Minister of Equality and current MEP for Podemos, attributed responsibility for the ruling to the PSOE, recalling past political agreements between the PSOE and the PP regarding judicial matters.
In her remarks at a demonstration against transphobia in Madrid, she suggested that a political issue underlies the acquittal, alleging that there exists a faction within the judiciary that prioritizes its stance over women's sexual autonomy.
Countering these views, Cuca Gamarra, the Secretary-General of the PP, condemned Montero's criticisms directed at the judiciary as "populist" and an affront to basic democratic principles, asserting that undermining the presumption of innocence threatens the rule of law.
Gamarra stressed that such statements detract from essential legal protections and demanded respect for judicial integrity.
This exchange highlights the ongoing political and social tensions surrounding issues of gender, power, and legal rights in Spain.
Translation:
Translated by AI
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