Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport
Ronaldinho’s lawyer has said the Brazilian legend was “stupid”, not guilty, after the superstar was held in preventative custody and could spend the next six months in jail.
The comment comes after a Paraguayan judge refused to accept that Ronaldinho “did not know” he was using false documents and placed him in preventative custody.
Lawyer Adolfo Marin made the comments when speaking with Brazilian newspaper ‘Folha de Sao Paulo’ after Ronaldinho, 39, and his brother Roberto de Assis were placed in preventative custody for allegedly trying to enter Paraguay using false documents last week.
Paraguayan judge Clara Ruiz ordered that Ronaldinho and his brother be kept in custody, saying: “We are in front of a grave and punishable offence because he acted against the interests of the Republic of Paraguay.”
The judge added that “there is a flight risk and there is a danger of obstruction. We are dealing with a foreigner who entered the country illegally and who remained in the country illegally.
“The prosecution considered he meets all the requirements. He will remain in preventative prison in the Specialised Unit.”
‘Specialised Unit’ is a term used in Paraguay to refer to a unit in prison designated for high-profile inmates.
However, Marin defended Ronaldinho, saying that the judge had failed to “consider that Ronaldinho did not know he was committing a crime because he did not understand he was given fake documents. He is stupid.”
Marin went on to criticise the decision to place him in preventative custody, saying the court did not consider that “Ronaldinho is a father and instead of being with his son, who is celebrating his birthday today, he is giving statements, telling the truth to the Paraguayan justice system.”
Another of Ronaldinho’s lawyers, Hector Caceres, added: “Ronaldinho did everything to collaborate and deserves the benefit of house arrest.”
Local media report Ronaldinho and his brother could remain in custody for up to six months while they wait for their trial. It is unclear when the trial is set to take place.
Ronaldinho went to Paraguay last week to participate in a charity event called ‘Angelical Fraternity’ but he was detained by police after he and his brother allegedly used fake passports to enter the country.
Ronaldinho’s defence claims the passport was given to him as a symbolic gift and he accidentally presented it at the airport thinking it was his Brazilian passport. It is currently unclear who gave him the passport.
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The investigation is ongoing.
