Arsenal star Robin van Persie will spend another fortnight behind bars following a rape allegation after a Dutch judge today granted prosecutors extra time to hold him.
The 21-year-old striker has already spent three nights in custody in Rotterdam since being arrested on Monday after a woman claimed he launched a sex attack on her late on Saturday.
A prosecution spokesperson said: ”We asked the judge for a longer custody, for 14 days, and he granted it.”
After that period they could go back to court and ask for permission to hold Van Persie for another three months.
The latest developments do not necessarily mean that Van Persie will face a trial. Under Dutch law, suspects are not charged with crimes in the same way as in the UK.
But on Wednesday the spokesperson said prosecutors had a ”very strong suspicion” there was a case against the Dutch footballer. Dutch media reported that the alleged incident took place in a Rotterdam nightclub.
Van Persie has hired high profile Dutch lawyer Abraham Moszkowicz who said his client was innocent.
If convicted, Van Persie could be jailed for as long as 12 years, although sentences are usually shorter than that. – Guardian Unlimited Â