Brazil great Ronaldinho could be freed on August 24 following five months detention in Paraguay over a forged passport, judicial sources told AFP on Monday.
The former Barcelona, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain star was detained alongside his brother Roberto de Assis Moreira on March 6, accused of entering Paraguay in possession of false passports.
They spent a month behind bars before paying a $1.6 million bail and being released to house arrest at the plush Palmaroga Hotel in the historic centre of the Paraguayan capital Asuncion.
Judge Gustavo Amarilla has set a date of August 24 to hear the case against the brothers.
Prosecutors have submitted a proposal to the judge that would see Ronaldinho, 40, pay a $90,000 fine “to repair social damage” but be allowed to return home to Brazil where he would have to appear before a judge every three months for a year.
Ronaldinho denies having any knowledge the passports were fake.
His brother — who allegedly knew about the false passports — would have to pay a $110,000 fine and appear before a judge every three months for two years.
Prosecutors also asked for a two-year suspended prison sentence for Roberto de Assis Moreira, who is also Ronaldinho’s business manager.
The brothers arrived in Paraguay on March 4 without any issues, with Ronaldinho, 2005 Ballon d’Or winner, due to take part in event in support of disadvantaged children.
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However, shortly after their arrival, the pair were taken into police custody when investigators raided their hotel following the discovery they had fake documents.
The investigation has since expanded into a case of possible money laundering.
Ronaldinho, considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, was crucial in Brazil’s 2002 World Cup win.
