Story By: Alex Cope, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport
The Paraguayan authorities have claimed that Ronaldinho had deposited money in one of the country’s banks in order to start the process of becoming a Paraguayan resident despite not qualifying to do so.
The Minister of the National Anti-Corruption Secretariat, Rene Fernandez, made the revelation in an interview with local radio station ABC Cardinal.
He said that there are indications Ronaldinho, 39, had deposited 59 million PYG (6,902 GBP) in the National Bank of Fomento to begin the process of becoming a legal resident.
The amount is reportedly a guarantee paid for the beginning of the process and Fernandez said: “The deposit was made but was not given the reference as part of the procedure of becoming a resident. It is an account which is enabled for these types of dealings.”
He added that an indictment will be made against the bank as the whole process was carried out by one worker, which should not be the case. Applicants must have reportedly lived in Paraguay for a minimum of three years before qualifying to become a legal resident, among other requirements.
Fernandez said the deposit was made “at the end of December” and was attempted to be withdrawn but the “documents were not presented so the withdrawal was not made”.
The minister had previously announced that the country’s Interior Ministry is being investigated on suspicion of having been complicit in the falsifying of documents for Ronaldinho and his brother Roberto de Assis.
The pair 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.
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.
The investigation is ongoing.
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