Suspicions of corruption have caused a political earthquake in Portugal. House searches were followed last week by the resignation of the head of government and the calling of new elections: It now appears that the investigation was based on a wiretapping protocol in which a name was written down incorrectly.
“Not to be confused with António Costa,” says Wikipedia for António Costa Silva, the Portuguese Minister of Economy. That is exactly what happened to the public prosecutor responsible for the investigation against the Portuguese ex-prime minister.
Middle surname omitted
The investigators are investigating suspicions of bribery and misuse of lithium and hydrogen projects in the city of Sines. While listening to a telephone conversation between the manager of a local data center and consultant Diogo Lacerda Machado, António Costa Silva’s name came up. However, only António Costa’s name was recorded, the second surname was not used. It was about who within the government could be approached to change the law.
The lawyer of one of the defendants pointed out the error to the Public Prosecution Service. “That’s absurd. When Lacerda Machado wants to talk to António Costa, he picks up his cell phone and calls him. “It was about a conversation with the Minister of Economy António Costa Silva,” the lawyer explained in court, according to “Euractiv”. Lacerda Machado is an influential entrepreneur in Portugal with a good connection to ex-Prime Minister Costa of the Socialist Party (PS).
Prisoners in general
He resigned last week after it became known that his residence and two ministries had been searched due to massive suspicions of corruption. There were a total of 42 searches. When he resigned, António Costa insisted that he had not committed any “illegal or reprehensible act”. Costa’s chief of staff, Lacerda Machado, and three other people were arrested. The five detainees have now been released – some on conditions – reports the ‘Standaard’. There are a total of nine suspects in the case.
The prosecutor admits mistakes
The prosecutor admitted the mistake. No further consequences are currently visible. In a radio interview, the head of the Association of Prosecutors explained that the incorrect transcript had “no major relevance to the case.” A discrepancy between the audio recording and the transcription is not a problem because “the recording is valid as evidence.”
Despite the confusion, the PS wants to focus on new elections called for by Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on March 10, after he dissolved parliament last week. “We will not spend the next four months discussing legal cases,” Infrastructure and Housing Minister Pedro Nuno Santos said. The PS wants to choose a successor to António Costa at a special party congress. In addition to Nuno, Minister of the Interior José Luís Carneiro is also running for the top candidate. The PS hopes to be able to defend its absolute majority in parliament in the new elections.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
