Former Economy Minister Manuel Pinho has appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice (Supremo Tribunal de Justiça) against his 10-year prison sentence for corruption, money laundering, and tax fraud. Pinho was convicted in 2024 for allegedly receiving illegal payments from former banker Ricardo Salgado during his time in government. The appeal cites procedural flaws and statute of limitations issues, with the defense requesting either a full acquittal or a reduced sentence of seven and a half years. Residents following the long-running EDP case should note that the former minister remains under house arrest while the high court reviews the case.
Former Minister Manuel Pinho appeals 10-year sentence to Supreme Court

Context & Explainers
Ricardo Salgado is the former chairman and CEO of Banco Espírito Santo (BES), the bank that collapsed in 2014 and triggered one of Portugal’s largest financial scandals. He has faced multiple criminal charges including fraud and money laundering, and recent appeal-court rulings ordering a new trial—despite reports about his Alzheimer’s—are important for anyone following accountability in Portugal’s banking sector.
Manuel Pinho is a former Portuguese Minister of Economy who served from 2005 to 2009 under the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista) government. In June 2024, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for passive corruption, money laundering, and tax fraud related to undeclared payments from the Espírito Santo Group (Grupo Espírito Santo). His case is one of several high-profile legal proceedings involving former government officials and the collapse of the Banco Espírito Santo banking empire.
Sources (4)
- EDP case: former minister Manuel Pinho has appealed his prison sentence to the Supreme CourtCNN Portugal · 6:20pm, 9 Mar 2026
- Manuel Pinho appeals to the Supreme Court against prison sentence in the EDP caseCorreio da Manhã · 6:07pm, 9 Mar 2026
- Manuel Pinho appeals prison sentence to the Supreme CourtObservador · 6:33pm, 9 Mar 2026
- Former minister Manuel Pinho appeals prison sentence to the Supreme CourtRTP Notícias · 6:19pm, 9 Mar 2026






