PJ detains 13 in Águas de Gaia corruption probe
The Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) detained 13 people, including business owners and senior executives, following an investigation into a corruption scheme at the municipal company Águas de Gaia. The suspects are scheduled to appear before the Porto Criminal Investigation Court (Tribunal de Instrução Criminal do Porto) for initial questioning.
The PJ (Polícia Judiciária) is Portugal's national criminal investigation police agency, founded in 1945. Operating under the Ministry of Justice and supervised by the Public Ministry (prosecutors), the PJ is a "higher criminal police body" specializing in serious and complex crimes. Mission: The PJ assists judicial and prosecuting authorities by investigating terrorism, organized crime, homicide, kidnapping, drug trafficking, corruption, cybercrime, financial crime, and money laundering. It conducts forensic examinations, operates Portugal's Interpol and Europol liaison offices, and maintains specialized units including the National Counterterrorism Unit and National Anti-Corruption Unit. Difference from PSP/GNR: While PSP (civilian urban police) and GNR (military rural police) focus on preventive policing, public order, and investigating minor crimes, the PJ exclusively handles serious crime investigation requiring specialized technical and scientific expertise. PSP and GNR report to the Ministry of Internal Affairs; PJ reports to the Ministry of Justice. PJ officers receive higher pay and prestige but face greater operational risk.
The Criminal Investigation Court (Tribunal de Instrução Criminal or TIC) is a specialized court that oversees the pre-trial phase of criminal proceedings. Its primary role is to ensure the legality of an investigation and to decide, through a process called instruction (instrução), whether there is sufficient evidence to send a case to trial.
