Lawyers for Rui Pinto have filed an administrative appeal to challenge the unanimous decision by the Special Security Programs Commission to remove him from the witness protection program. Pinto, known for the Football Leaks disclosures, described the move as an act of state terrorism, while his defense team has requested that the Ministry of Justice disclose the current risk assessment used to justify the termination.
Rui Pinto appeals removal from witness protection program
Friday, 2 October 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
Rui Pinto is a Portuguese computer hacker and whistleblower best known for founding the Football Leaks website, which exposed financial irregularities in professional football. He has been involved in multiple legal proceedings in Portugal, including a recent acquittal by the Lisbon Criminal Court regarding unauthorized access to emails from various organizations.
6 sources
- Rui Pinto's lawyers appeal against the withdrawal of securityeco.sapo.pt ·
- Lawyers appeal for reconsideration of security withdrawalobservador.pt ·
- Rui Pinto to appeal loss of police protection and calls it an act of "state terrorism"expresso.pt ·
- Football leaks whistleblower dubs end of witness protection “State terrorism”portugalresident.com ·
- Rui Pinto's lawyers appeal to authorities to reconsider withdrawal of securityrtp.pt ·
- Rui Pinto may lose security and protected residence within a few days: defence speaks of a "critical situation"cnnportugal.iol.pt ·
