Porto, June 16, 2025 – The hearings for the witnesses in the Operation Pretoriano concluded today after 20 trial sessions at the São João Novo Criminal Court in Porto, with closing arguments scheduled for June 30 and July 1.
During the defense’s presentation of evidence, several witnesses were common to multiple defendants, which expedited the process and eliminated the need for additional dates provided by the court in case of delays.
Moreover, several witnesses were excused from giving statements by the defendants, including former FC Porto vice-president Vítor Baía and ex-coach of the “Blues” Sérgio Conceição.
After six witnesses called by Fernando Madureira were heard in the morning, only José Rebelo da Silva remained to testify; he was a substitute member of the General Assembly (AG) Board at the time of the FC Porto AG meeting in November 2023, where he served as secretary.
The witness reported discrepancies in the versions of the AG minutes, alleging that Lourenço Pinto, then president of the Board, wanted to impose a version of the document that ignored most of the tumultuous incidents that occurred during the meeting.
“The minutes were always produced very close to the next AG, never immediately afterward. When called to sign the minutes, I discovered, to our surprise, a version produced by Lourenço Pinto. It was succinct, omitted unpleasant facts, and we did not agree with the document,” he began.
Despite this, he claims that Lourenço Pinto pressured the board to reach an agreement regarding the events at the meeting, threatening to resign from his position.
“Lourenço Pinto was not aware of several things that happened. I believe this discrepancy was unintentional but due to his perceptions because of his age. He has hearing problems and may not have noticed certain events. Lourenço Pinto stood up, said he would resign. We had to work hard to reach an agreement,” he revealed.
He signed a document that specified the existence of a vote, which Lourenço Pinto allegedly demanded, while claiming this never occurred.
Furthermore, the witness denied having any influence over the choice of the AG location, later realizing that the “acoustic conditions” of the Dragão Arena Pavilion did not allow the proceedings to flow smoothly. He believes this was permanently hindered by the conflict following Henrique Ramos’s speech.
The trial will continue with closing arguments scheduled for June 30 and July 1.
The 12 defendants in Operation Pretoriano, including former Super Dragões leader Fernando Madureira, began facing charges for 31 crimes at the São João Novo Court in Porto on March 17, amid heavy police presence in the vicinity.
The case involves 19 crimes of coercion and aggravated threat, seven of physical assault within the scope of a sports event, one of public incitement to crime, another of throwing objects or liquid products, and three of attacks on freedom of information, in connection with an FC Porto AG meeting in November 2023.
Among the dozen defendants, Fernando Madureira is the only one in preventive detention, the most severe coercive measure, while the others have been released at various stages.
