Former Minister Pedro Nuno Santos responded on Wednesday to the raids conducted at TAP, where his name was once again mentioned.
“Less than six months ago, my good name was questioned during an election campaign. It is happening again. I reaffirm what I said at the time—politicians are not all the same. And once again, those with nothing to hide have nothing to fear,” he stated in a post on his social media accounts.
The Socialist commented on the raids carried out on Tuesday at TAP as part of an inquiry into the compensation paid to former executive director Alexandra Reis. It was reported that Pedro Nuno Santos and his State Secretary at the time, Hugo Mendes, were also under investigation, although this was not confirmed by authorities. The authorities reviewed electronic communications of both individuals throughout the process.
“No crime was committed by members of my office”
The former minister, while expressing “pride” in the work done at TAP, acknowledged that “not everything went well. The compensation paid to an executive director is one of those examples,” he noted. “However, no crime was committed by members of the government or my office,” he assured.
Pedro Nuno Santos also pointed out that there are not many cases “that have been scrutinized as much as this,” which “has already been subject to an IGF investigation and a Parliamentary Inquiry Commission.”
“Currently, the Public Prosecutor’s Office is doing its work within the scope of an inquiry opened in January 2023. I only wish for it to be concluded as soon as possible so that my involvement in this case, which has caused me so much harm, can be definitively clarified,” he urged in the same post.
Suspected Crime of Harmful Administration
TAP was the target of raids as part of an inquiry into the compensation paid to former executive director Alexandra Reis.
The raids also covered a law office in Lisbon and “searches of computer equipment at the Government’s General Secretariat,” stated the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Lisbon District.
The investigation focuses on suspicions of the crimes of harmful administration, improper receipt or offer of advantage, economic participation in business, and abuse of power.
The Controversial Compensation to Alexandra Reis
In December 2022, TAP was embroiled in controversy due to a 500,000-euro compensation paid to then-director Alexandra Reis for her early departure from the company.
On May 31, 2023, the manager confirmed having returned 266,412.76 euros to the company, “the total net amount indicated by TAP.”
TAP Ensures Cooperation with Authorities
Contacted by Lusa, TAP assured it is cooperating with authorities in all investigations and declined to comment on judicial processes.
“TAP does not comment on judicial processes and always cooperates with authorities in all investigations,” the airline responded in writing.
Alexandra Reis, it is recalled, received a half-million-euro compensation for leaving her position as an executive director at the airline prematurely in February, while she was supposed to remain in her role for another two years. Recall the case.
Beatriz Vasconcelos with Lusa | 11:24 – 23/09/2025
