After technical issues at the São João Novo Court in Porto delayed the start of the ninth trial session in the morning, proceedings resumed as planned in the afternoon, allowing the court to hear testimonies that had been postponed from March 25.
“We didn’t applaud [Pinto da Costa’s speech] and Fernando Madureira approached my group and accused us of dividing the club,” stated José Miguel, a FC Porto member for 25 years, who also mentioned insults allegedly uttered by the defendant, accusing him of inciting incidents.
He also reported restrictions on mobile phone usage for filming at Dragão Arena by several individuals, presumed to be from the Super Dragões supporter group, notably including Sandra Madureira, wife of Fernando and another defendant in the case.
Upon arrival at the pavilion, the group he was with, which included “several friends of André Villas-Boas,” decided to change their seating section, later having to relocate again as episodes of physical violence supposedly began.
Meanwhile, Afonso Calheiros, another club member present at the general assembly, in a lengthy testimony aiming at some defendants, said he heard Vítor ‘Catão’ threatening to “kill Villas-Boas and those supporting him.”
“There was an initial assault by ‘Aleixo’s’ son on a gentleman who seemed to be around 60 years old,” he testified.
However, the defense for Vítor ‘Catão’ requested the court issue a certificate for false statements against the witness, as the latter claimed to have seen the defendant “addressing the media” around 8:00 PM, while he only arrived at 9:00 PM—a request granted by the presiding judge.
Several service providers to FC Porto, involved in access credentialing for the meeting, reported attempts to irregularly gain entry, similar to previous testimonies.
“Several members tried to enter with cards that were not theirs or belonged to their minor children. They were individuals who were not permitted access. Instead of leaving when denied entry, they argued and stayed,” confessed Liliana Costa, who witnessed Sandra Madureira challenging the need to present ID and membership cards.
The trial has already seen dozens of witness testimonies delayed, leading to complex rescheduling of proceedings. The next session is set for the upcoming Monday, intended to hear testimonies postponed from April 1.
The 12 defendants in the Operation Pretoriano, including former Super Dragões leader Fernando Madureira, began answering to 31 charges at the São João Novo Court, Porto, from March 17 amid tight security.
The case involves 19 counts of aggravated coercion and threat, seven accusations of physical assault in a sports event context, one of public incitement to a crime, another of throwing objects or liquids, and three of infringing freedom of information, all surrounding an FC Porto general assembly in November 2023.
Among the dozen defendants, Fernando Madureira is the only one in pretrial detention, the strictest preventive measure, while the others have been releasing in various stages.
