The Beja Court convicted five of the 22 people on trial for the exploitation of immigrants in the Alentejo region this Friday, March 13, handing down prison sentences ranging from two to six and a half years, with two of them suspended. During the reading of the verdict this afternoon, the presiding judge stated that the remaining 17 defendants were acquitted of all charges due to a lack of evidence presented during the trial. Judge Ana Batista advised the acquitted defendants to rethink their lives, noting that despite the lack of evidence, there were criminal indications: 'I sincerely hope we do not have to meet again' in this court, she stated.