The trial held about a year ago resulted in a seven-month suspended prison sentence for Fernando Madureira, the former leader of the Super Dragões supporters group, and a fifteen-month suspended sentence for the defendant known as ‘Polaco’.
During the 11th session of the trial at the São João Novo Court in Porto, the Public Prosecutor aims to demonstrate a “pattern of behavior” exhibited by both defendants in the sporting complex environment.
Additionally, a certificate was requested regarding the dismissal of a complaint against PSP officer Bruno Branco, a witness in the case.
The complaint alleged that the officer had committed an assault at the FC Porto General Assembly in November 2023 and acted as personal security for the current ‘dragões’ president, André Villas-Boas. The alleged victim, who is also listed as a witness in the Operation Pretoriano, decided not to proceed with the complaint.
The defense expressed opposition to the first request, and a part of the defense requested a review of the second request. The Court determined that they must analyze the content and issue a response by the next session of the trial, scheduled for the upcoming Tuesday.
Throughout the afternoon, two security guards from a private security company that provided services to the ‘blues and whites’ at the General Assembly were called to testify. They admitted there was “chaos” during the events, particularly in the accreditation process, with wristbands for entry being stolen.
“There were few of us, only about ten, and we lost control,” admitted the second witness.
This security guard also reported seeing Fernando Madureira in possession of wristbands but denied witnessing Madureira taking wristbands from a box and distributing them, contradicting his previous assertions made during the inquiry.
Consequently, the prosecutor requested certification for initiating proceedings against the witness for false statements.
The 12 defendants in Operation Pretoriano, including former Super Dragões leader Fernando Madureira, began answering for 31 crimes at the São João Novo Court in Porto on March 17, amid a heavy police presence.
The charges include 19 counts of aggravated coercion and threat, seven counts of physical assault related to sports events, one count of public incitement to a crime, one count of throwing objects or liquids, and three counts of attacking freedom of information, all concerning a General Assembly of FC Porto in November 2023.
Among the twelve defendants, Fernando Madureira is the only one in preventive detention, the strictest measure of restraint, while the others have been released at different stages.
