During the rape trial of former Brazil football star Dani Alves, it was revealed that the victim’s life had been devastated, with the assault causing her to cry uncontrollably.
She confided in a friend that Alves had “really hurt” her in a Barcelona nightclub bathroom.
The victim, who alleges she was raped by the 40-year-old ex-footballer in a VIP section of the Sutton nightclub on December 31, 2022, testified for over an hour on the trial’s first day in Barcelona.
Protected by anonymity, the woman provided her testimony from behind a screen to prevent visual confrontation by Alves, who was present in court.
To safeguard her identity, the victim’s testimony was only visible to the judge, with her face blurred and voice altered to prevent potential exposure if any footage were to be leaked.
Confirming her friend’s account, the witness attested to Alves’ “touchy-feely attitude” during her testimony in court.
Alves was described as becoming “even more obsessive” with the victim.
Breaking down in tears, the friend recounted how the victim was “crying uncontrollably” after leaving the bathroom, expressing a desire to leave immediately and stating that Alves had “really hurt” her.
Following medical attention that night, the woman filed a complaint on January 2. The prosecution has indicated that she now suffers from heightened post-traumatic stress.
Her cousin informed the court that she experiences difficulty sleeping, relies on medication and antidepressants, and rarely leaves her home since the assault.
The former Brazil international, aged 40, was transported to court in a police van from Brians 2 Prison near Barcelona, where he has been held on remand for over a year.
During the trial’s first day, his alleged victim testified behind closed doors.
It was revealed that Alves had secured permission to testify on the trial’s final day, following testimonies from 28 witnesses, including his accuser and his wife, model Joana Sanz.
Before the trial commenced, negotiations regarding a possible plea bargain deal took place, but the trial proceeded as scheduled after Alves was escorted into the courtroom.
State prosecutors are seeking a nine-year jail term if Alves is convicted of raping a 23-year-old woman in a toilet at Barcelona’s Sutton nightclub on December 30, 2022.
Additionally, the accuser’s lawyer is advocating for the maximum 12-year prison sentence, and both parties are seeking a compensation payment of £128,000.
Alves denies wrongdoing but admits to infidelity, asserting that the sexual encounter was consensual.
The trial is being conducted without a jury, and the judges will deliver their verdict in a written ruling upon its conclusion.
Alves, who has the option to testify on the final day, maintains that the encounter was consensual.
His accuser has been granted the opportunity to testify behind closed doors, with witnesses including her cousin and a female friend present during the alleged assault.
Alves’ wife is expected to testify on his behalf, addressing whether he was intoxicated on the night of the incident, which could mitigate his culpability under Spanish law in the event of a guilty verdict.
Six witnesses were scheduled to testify on the trial’s first day. Alves, who made history as the oldest player to represent Brazil at the World Cup in December 2022 in Qatar, was ordered to stand trial in November.
Initially accused of sexual assault, the charges were later amended to rape. According to prosecutors, Alves offered champagne to the victim and her friend before inviting the victim into a lavatory, where he allegedly assaulted her despite her protests.
The victim, who received medical treatment following the incident, is undergoing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, with her identity remaining undisclosed.
Alves’ legal team unsuccessfully sought to have the trial held behind closed doors, although media and the public will not be present during the accuser’s testimony.
He was dismissed by Mexican club UNAM Pumas after his arrest in Barcelona at the beginning of last year, following his return to attend his mother-in-law’s funeral.
#aprokovibesng