Public Prosecution archives Monte Branco case
The Public Prosecution Service (Ministério Público) has archived the Monte Branco case after a 15-year investigation into qualified tax fraud and money laundering. Authorities noted that the inquiry successfully recovered over 30 million euros for the state through tax regularizations.
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.
