The scheme's objective was to remove people from Angola, ensuring their entry into the Schengen Area via Portugal.
Woman accused of aiding illegal immigration through scheme to bring Angolan minors into the country
Monday, 16 March 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
The Ministério Público (Public Prosecution Service) is Portugal's independent state prosecution body, responsible for leading criminal investigations, bringing charges, and representing the public interest in court.
The MP operates autonomously from the government and the police, though it directs criminal investigations carried out by the Polícia Judiciária, PSP, and GNR. It is led by the Procurador-Geral da República (Attorney General), who is appointed by the President on the government's proposal.
The MP gets involved in high-profile cases including corruption, financial crime, and incidents of potential institutional negligence. It also defends the legality of government actions and protects citizens' fundamental rights through the courts.
The Attorney General's Office is Portugal's public prosecution service, the Procuradoria‑Geral da República (PGR), which leads criminal prosecutions and issues official legal warnings, including through specialised units such as its Cybercrime Office. The PGR recently warned about email scams targeting banking details, so residents should treat its alerts as primary sources of official cybersecurity guidance.
