It looks like Ronaldinho isn’t leaving jail so soon.
Globo Esporte reports today that Paraguayan judge Gustavo Amarrilla has turned down the player’s request to be sent back to Brazil and kept under house arrest.
Ronaldinho and his brother Assis have now been in Paraguayan detention for four days, accused of entering the country with adulterated documents.
The Paraguayan Public Ministry want them both kept in detention while they continue the investigations, and are currently searching their personal phones to get hold of new information on the case.
There’s the possibility of them both getting caught in a money laundering scheme.
What makes them sound innocent this time is that they wouldn’t need the passports to enter Paraguay. As part of the Mercosul agreement, they’ve could have both used their Brazilian IDs in the boarder, and shouldn’t need to run that risk.
Ronaldinho’s lawyers are appealing against the decision today, as they try once again to bring him back to Brazil. Quoted by Globo Esporte, judge Gustavo Amarrilla has explained why they both need to be kept where they are.
“The precautionary measure of detention at the Agrupación Especializada is maintained. The investigation is less than a week old. And the size of this case is becoming clear, with new revelations. It’s my responsibility, the judicial power, to ensure the continuity of this investigation. We cannot take the risk that this investigation will end because of an escape or an exit from Paraguay. Ronaldinho’s freedom could mean obstructing the investigation or fleeing.”