Em a press conference is scheduled to take place in Brussels, where former Prime Minister José Sócrates will be accompanied by his lawyers to publicly present a lawsuit related to the developments of the entire case. The first court session is set for two days later, on Thursday, in Lisbon.
The Central Criminal Investigation Court (TCIC) ruled on June 11 that former Prime Minister José Sócrates and businessman Carlos Santos Silva will face trial for three counts of money laundering.
The court concluded that “there are consistent indications” showing Carlos Santos Silva was appointed by José Sócrates to manage the funds between 2011 and 2014 into the accounts of the former prime minister.
This case was separated from Operation Marquês, with the instructing judge noting that, since the offenses in question are committed in co-authorship with defendants involved in the main Operation Marquês, it should be combined with the trial set to begin on July 3.
After the reading of the instructional decision, José Sócrates’ lawyer, Pedro Delille, announced an appeal would be filed alleging “nullity due to a substantial alteration of facts.”
The defense of the former prime minister, who did not attend this session, argued that the process instruction was based on an indictment of which the defendants were never notified and should therefore be considered null.
“This decision was made under the supervision of the Superior Council of Magistracy, and for this reason, is also invalid,” he added.
The case involves three counts of document forgery, in co-authorship, with the court noting “the maximum prescription period has already elapsed,” as these crimes occurred in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Regarding money laundering charges, it concerns the alleged use between 2011 and 2014 of bank accounts of a company controlled by Carlos Santos Silva, his wife, and José Sócrates’ driver to channel illicit funds to the former prime minister.
According to a 2017 indictment by the Public Ministry, the businessman and close friend of the former head of government (2005-2011) was allegedly one of the frontmen José Sócrates used to conceal funds by which he was allegedly bribed to benefit Grupo Lena, Grupo Espírito Santo, and Vale do Lobo group.
