Prosecutor-General Amadeu Guerra appeared before a parliamentary committee on Thursday to deny that the Public Prosecution Service (Ministério Público) times its investigations and searches to influence politics. Addressing questions regarding recent raids on the PS, Guerra also highlighted that the service is struggling with a lack of resources, including staffing and technological support, which he described as a near-paralysis of the system.
Prosecutor-General denies political bias in recent investigations
Thursday, 28 May 2026AI summary
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.
4 sources
- Prosecutor-General denies political timing in Public Prosecution Service investigations and searchesdn.pt ·
- Attorney General denies political timing in Public Prosecution investigations and searchespublico.pt ·
- Prosecutor-General insists that the Public Prosecution Service lacks the resources to workobservador.pt ·
- PGR denies political timing in Public Prosecutor's investigations and searchesrtp.pt ·
