The court has altered the preventive detention measures for businessman Paulo Malafaia, who had been held since May 2023. He will now be required to make periodic appearances, as confirmed by the court. Similarly, lawyer João Pedro Lopes, previously under house arrest, is now obligated to report to authorities regularly.
As of today, the three defendants, including Patrocínio Azevedo, must present themselves to the authorities thrice weekly and are prohibited from contacting each other.
Operation Babel, which involves alleged manipulation and violation of urban licensing procedures in Gaia, comprises 16 defendants. Among them are Patrocínio Azevedo, real estate businessmen Paulo Malafaia, and Elad Dror, the founder of the Fortera Group. They face multiple charges, such as corruption and influence peddling.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office asserts that Elad Dror and Paulo Malafaia conspired to develop real estate projects in Vila Nova de Gaia, including the Skyline/Cultural and Congress Center, Riverside, and Hotel Azul. The allegations suggest these developments were to be favored by the former deputy mayor of Gaia in exchange for money and material gifts like watches.
