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Ronaldinho, his brother likely to be released from custody on August 24

Ronaldinho and Assis travelled to Paraguay on March 4 to participate in a children’s charity event and promote a new book.

Ronaldinho, his brother likely to be released from custody on August 24

Brazilian retired football player Ronaldinho. (Norberto DUARTE / AFP AFP)

Ronaldinho and his brother Roberto Assis could be released from custody on August 24, the date when a judge is expected to ratify their plea bargain agreement.

Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho, who has been under police detention in Paraguay along with his brother, can be released on August 24, the date when a judge is expected to ratify their plea bargain agreement.

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A report in ESPN has stated that Gustavo Amarilla, who had sentenced Ronaldinho, has set the date to review the terms of his judgement.

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Under the terms of the plea bargain as laid in the sentence, Ronaldinho will have to pay $90,000 fine and must report to a federal judge in Brazil every three months for two years. The footballer has reportedly agreed to the terms.

His brother Asis directed to pay $110,000 and will not be allowed to leave Brazil over a two-year period.

Ronaldinho and Assis have been detained since early March for allegedly entering the South American country with fake passports.

Ronaldinho was earlier sentenced to a six-month term in prison. However, after 32 days in prison, he was shifted to a hotel in April where he was kept under house arrest.

The decision was taken due to the global outbreak of the coronavirus which has affected more than 100 people in Paraguay and killed five.

The 40-year-old former Ballon d’Or winner is believed to have paid a 1.3 million Euro bond following his arrest with his brother Roberto Assis, 49, after police raided their presidential suite at the Resort Yacht and Golf Club, around 15km south of Asuncion.

However, Ronaldinho’s lawyer had maintained the footballer was not deliberately trying to enter Paraguay with a fake passport and demanded he should be released by the authorities.

Ronaldinho, on his part, said the passports had been given him by people who had invited him to attend conferences sponsored by charities working with disadvantaged children. According to him, his documents were given by Brazilian businessman, Wilmondes Sousa Liria, who has been jailed.

Ronaldinho and Assis travelled to Paraguay on March 4 to participate in a children’s charity event and promote a new book. The pair were arrested later that day when authorities realised they had entered the country with fake passports.

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