On June 12, the Barcelona Court of Appeal rejected Alves' appeal for bail. Therefore, the Brazilian defender will continue to be detained in Brians 2 - a prison on the outskirts of the city.

In May, Alves' defence team, led by renowned criminal lawyer Cristobal Martell, filed a motion arguing that the 39-year-old defender would flee Spain if he were released on bail, which would be "unthinkable" given his stable life in Barcelona. Alves also wanted to live with his family and had enrolled his children in a school in Barcelona. However, prosecutors dismissed the argument at the time, saying it was a "fictional scenario of life".

In late January, Alves’s defense team also filed an appeal against the order to be held without bail with the Barcelona Court of Appeal. The defender then agreed to wear an ankle bracelet, surrender his passport, report to the court and the authorities as often as required, including daily, and not go within 500 meters of his accuser – her home or workplace.

But the Barcelona court rejected the case, arguing: "The suspect poses a high risk of flight given the severe punishment he faces in the case. The clear evidence of wrongdoing and his economic power would mean that the suspect could leave Spain at any time."

Cuatro 's En boca de todos TV show got access to Alves' reaction to the latest court ruling on June 12. "Only two people know what happened and, above all, what didn't happen. I'm telling the truth," the Brazilian defender insisted.

Alves said he had changed his story several times because he wanted to save his marriage to wife Joana Sanz, and stressed that he had nothing to hide. He said he had turned himself in, rather than go to Brazil, and was confident that he would prove his innocence because the incident involved was consensual. "I never thought of imposing sexual behavior on anyone, as has been reported," Alves added.

Alves was arrested at Mossos d'Esquadra de Les Corts, Barcelona on the morning of January 20, on charges of sexually assaulting a young woman on December 30, 2022. The former Barca defender spent three days and nights in Brians 1 prison, before being transferred to Brians 2 - where most of the prisoners are sex offenders.

With his bail rejected three times, the former Barca and PSG defender could spend between one and two years in prison while his case is heard. If convicted, Alves could face between four and 12 years in prison.

Hong Duy