The weeks leading up to this judicial recess have been marked by the start of Operation Marquês, with former Prime Minister José Sócrates as the main defendant, and a strike by public prosecutors that resulted in the postponement of proceedings nationwide.
The trial of José Sócrates and 20 other defendants, accused of 117 crimes including corruption, money laundering, and tax fraud, began on July 3. The panel, led by Judge Susana Seca, heads into the judicial recess without completing Sócrates’s initial statements. The former Socialist Prime Minister spoke during three of the four sessions held.
The continuation of the main trial related to the bankruptcy of Banco Espírito Santo (BES) is also scheduled for September.
In this case, where former BES president Ricardo Salgado is the main defendant, the court still has to hear from over 700 witnesses called by both the prosecution and the defense.
In the banking sector, proceedings are also on hold for the trial related to BES Angola (BESA), which involves charges of breach of trust, money laundering, and fraud.
In addition to Ricardo Salgado, former BESA president Álvaro Sobrinho is another key defendant.
Also postponed until after the judicial recess is the verdict in the case involving insults and attempted assaults by denialists against former Admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo and Ferro Rodrigues, the former President of the Assembly of the Republic.
In September, the 10 defendants in this case will learn the outcome of three trial sessions.
The ruling in the smoke collar case is also pending, scheduled for October.
Among the 19 defendants in this case is former Secretary of State for Civil Protection José Artur Neves, with charges of subsidy fraud, economic participation in business, and abuse of power. These relate to public procurement and the purchase of protective neckwear under the “Aldeia Segura — Pessoas Seguras” program, launched following the 2017 forest fires.
Another decision outstanding until September involves the lawsuit by the singer duo “Anjos,” who are demanding over one million euros in damages allegedly caused by a video released by comedian Joana Marques.
Following the judicial vacation period is the start of the trial of a PSP officer accused of the homicide of Odair Moniz in Cova da Moura, Amadora, last October. The first session is set for October 15 at the Sintra court.
The trial of Operation Lex, involving former Benfica President Luís Filipe Vieira and former judge Rui Rangel, also begins on October 15, as decided by the Supreme Court this past Tuesday, ahead of the judicial recess.
Developments in the case of Duarte Lima may occur after August 31, as the Public Prosecutor’s Office requested a 45-day period earlier this month to receive remaining recordings from Brazil for the case of the former PSD deputy accused of murdering Rosalina Ribeiro in 2009.
If no information is received from Brazil, the Public Prosecutor’s Office will decide whether or not to request the start of the trial.
Regarding investigations, the judicial vacation begins with several high-profile cases unresolved. The outcome of the preliminary investigation into Spinumviva, a company linked to the family of Luís Montenegro, is still unknown, with no information on whether it has been closed or if an inquiry has been launched.
