The four defendants arrested in Operation Lumen, which investigates alleged economic crimes in Christmas lighting installation contracts, were released this Sunday. They will learn of their coercive measures on Tuesday, a judicial source indicated. The source explained to the Lusa agency that the defendants were released because the Public Prosecutor's Office proposed non-custodial measures. In the case of the Lisbon City Council Secretary-General, Alberto Laplaine Guimarães, the Public Prosecutor's Office requested his suspension from duties and a prohibition on visiting council premises or contacting municipal staff and other defendants. The Judiciary Police had arrested four people on Tuesday on suspicion of active and passive corruption, economic participation in business, abuse of power, and criminal association. Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas has opened an inquiry into the Lisbon City Council's General Secretariat.
Operation Lumen: Judge decides to release all detained defendants
Sunday, 22 March 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
The Public Administration (Administração Pública) is Portugal's central, regional and local government bodies and the public-sector workforce that deliver services like healthcare, education and municipal functions. A pay rise announced on 20 February 2026 raised the state's base public-sector salary to €934.99 with retroactive payments back to January 2026, so employees and those who contract with state bodies should expect updated payrolls and potential budget effects.
