Brazilian football icon Ronaldinho will continue to be held in a high-security prison in Paraguay as a judge has rejected a plea to transfer him to house arrest.
Last Friday, the former Barcelona superstar and his brother, Roberto Assis, who is his business manager, were apprehended for possessing forged passports bearing their names and claiming Paraguayan nationality.
The judge, Gustavo Amarilla, stated that the brothers would remain in the maximum-security facility on the outskirts of Asuncion for up to six months, or until the investigation is finalized.
Amarilla informed reporters, “Ronaldinho’s release could lead to obstruction of justice or escape. His presence in the country is essential.”
The brothers proposed to post an $800,000 bail bond, using a local businessman’s property as collateral, in exchange for being transferred from the high-security jail to house arrest. However, prosecutor Marcelo Pecchi argued that they posed a flight risk.
The judge deemed the bail bond amount relatively low, given Ronaldinho’s career earnings of around $130 million.
Pecchi told reporters, “The investigation is just beginning, and we are exploring other possible related activities.”
“If these individuals leave now, they may not be extradited to face trial as Brazil does not extradite its citizens,” Pecchi added.
Additionally, on Tuesday, Paraguayan authorities announced the arrest of three government officials connected to the scandal.
Shirley Elizabeth Delvalle, 31, and Rosa Carolina Miranda, 40, both employed by Paraguay’s National Directorate of Civil Aeronautics, as well as José Gustavo Molina, 47, a clerk with the General Directorate of Migrations, were all detained on Tuesday morning.
Law enforcement is also searching for another immigration official, Jorge Rodrigo Villanueva Torales, 35, who also has ties to the scandal.
Officials have pressed charges against María Isabel Gayoso and Esperanza Apolonia Caballero for allegedly providing their passports to be altered.
