The closing arguments in a jury trial in Portimão saw the Public Prosecutor (MP) call for an 11-year prison sentence for Igor Lopes, 40, who remains in custody. Meanwhile, Aldair Silva, 43, who is currently not detained, was requested to be acquitted.
The two men face charges from the MP for aggravated homicide and failure to aid a businessman, owner of a Berlin ball factory, where the crimes took place in Patã de Baixo, Albufeira.
The defense attorneys for both defendants sought their acquittal, with Igor Lopes’ defense invoking the ‘in dubio pro reo’ principle, derived from the constitutional presumption of innocence, suggesting the court should decide in the defendant’s favor in cases of doubt.
In the trial’s opening session last April, the MP claimed the defendants planned to steal money from the factory, a workplace of Aldair Silva, which had a daily turnover between 10,000 and 15,000 euros.
The indictment alleges the defendants entered the establishment intending to seize “a monetary amount,” encountering businessman José de Sousa, 66, whom they ultimately killed.
According to the MP, the two allegedly attacked the businessman with an electric knife, bound his hands and feet, covered his mouth with mechanic’s tape, and “suffocated him by external neck compression.”
The men reportedly stole 16,000 euros and various objects.
In the final arguments, the Public Prosecutor justified the request for conviction, suggesting it might be difficult for the court to believe the defendants acted with intent to kill.
The verdict is scheduled to be announced on July 15 at the Portimão Court.
