Former mayor of Esposende, Benjamin Pereira, has filed a criminal complaint with the Esposende court regarding online accusations against him. The complaint was lodged on Wednesday.
“As a citizen, I fully respect freedom of expression, but there are boundaries that must be respected, and mine have clearly been crossed. The criminal penalties for these offenses can reach up to five years in prison or a fine, with stricter penalties due to my position as a member of the Portuguese State,” he stated in a social media post.
Last week, Pereira addressed these accusations as “profoundly false, unjust, and extremely serious” in a Facebook post.
“I cannot remain silent in the face of attacks designed to destroy my honor, reputation, and integrity through deliberate lies,” he emphasized.
The former mayor stated that he has never been accused or made a defendant in any process related to the landslide and has not committed any illegal acts during his public service.
“All decisions I made as mayor were based on technical opinions and within the law,” he added.
Due to the seriousness of the accusations, Pereira has filed a criminal complaint for defamation, slander, and offense to his good name.
He also announced that he is taking necessary steps to have the incriminating publications removed.
Pereira noted that these posts emerge during the election campaign, as he runs for the Esposende Municipal Assembly, representing PSD.
“I regret the exploitation of human tragedies for political gain, tarnishing my image within the community during a democratic choice context. Freedom of expression is a vital value, which I respect and defend. However, it cannot be used as a shield for slander, insults, or unfounded accusations without evidence,” he concluded.
A landslide occurred on November 23, 2022, killing two young people while they slept in their home in Palmeira de Faro, Esposende.
Benjamin Pereira served as Mayor of Esposende from 2013 until September 2024, when he left to lead the Institute of Housing and Urban Rehabilitation.
