|
The 39-year-old, who has denied any wrongdoing,
was jailed on remand without bail on Jan. 20 after a local woman
filed a complaint last month about an event at the exclusive
Sutton nightclub in the city centre. Police are investigating
and the case remains open over a crime of sexual assault.
Alves' lawyer had asked for him to be released on bail if he
surrendered his passport and wore an electronic tag, arguing
that he had family ties in Spain.
However, the court rejected the arguments and ordered him to
remain on remand at the Brians 2 prison on the outskirts of
Barcelona.
"There is a high risk of fleeing as... the severe punishment he
faces in the present case, the strong evidence of wrongdoing and
his economic might would make it possible for him... to leave
Spain at any time," the court said.
The case has attracted significant attention in Spain, because
of Alves' profile but primarily because sexual assault has
remained a dominant political theme since the 2016 gang-rape of
a teenager during the San Fermin bull-running festival which led
to the toughening of sexual violence laws in the country.
In Spain, a claim of rape is investigated under the general
accusation of sexual assault and convictions can lead to jail
time of between four and 15 years.
Conviction of such a charge also paves the way for financial
compensation to be paid to the victim to cover physical,
physiological and moral harm.
(Reporting by Inti Landauro and Joan Faus, writing by Emma
PinedoEditing by Christian Radnedge)
[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
|
