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José Sócrates has been without a lawyer for the last few months. Yet yesterday, he had not one, not two, but three lawyers. And is Bruno Mascarenhas a tough nut for Chega to crack?
Sócrates had a lawyer before the session. By lunchtime, he had two others (one with official power of attorney and another court-appointed). In the afternoon, a fourth had to be called. Problem solved? Not exactly.
Three lawyers were assigned to José Sócrates. In the trial of the Marquês Case, the former prime minister chose a new defence lawyer. The Bar Association appointed a court-appointed lawyer, and the court appointed another.
Filipe Baptista, who already represents Sócrates' ex-wife, Sofia Fava, has not yet seen the judge accept his representation of Sócrates, as the power of attorney has not yet been filed. The former Prime Minister has court-appointed counsel.
The National Director of the PSP, Luís Carrilho, does not disclose whether the Public Security Police officers currently under investigation for alleged torture at the Rato station are still on duty or have been suspended.
At 3:45 PM, José Sócrates was being represented in the trial by court-appointed lawyer Humberto Monteiro.
Leaving the Campus de Justiça, José Sócrates' new court-appointed lawyer, Luís Carlos Esteves, explained that the appointment resulted from an invocation of competence, a direct choice because he is not a stranger to the case.
Joe Berardo's lawyer, Paulo Saragoça da Matta, criticises the Public Prosecutor's Office following a new indictment against the Madeiran businessman. Additionally, the PCP once again demands the withdrawal of the labour package.
The decision by the panel of judges presided over by Susana Seca came after lawyers for other defendants in the Operation Marquês case questioned the legitimacy of the Bar Association's General Council to appoint a defence attorney for the former government official.
Filipe Batista, representative of José Sócrates' ex-wife, may become the new defence lawyer for the former prime minister. Also, Israel confirms the death of a member of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
His name is Filipe Batista, he has been defending Sofia Fava in the Operação Marquês case, and he is the fifth lawyer chosen by Sócrates. This Tuesday, the Bar Association had announced another public defender to represent the former prime minister, who is now on standby.
Luís Esteves was appointed by the general council of the Bar Association
Luís Carlos Esteves has previously defended the driver João Perna and was appointed by the Bar Association to be the new court-appointed lawyer for José Sócrates. “In principle, I will not resign,” guarantees the ninth lawyer for the main defendant in the Operação Marquês case.
Luís Carlos Esteves is the fifth court-appointed defender named to represent the former prime minister. “In principle, I will not resign. But there are several pending issues before I take office,” he warns.
The state was allegedly defrauded of approximately 140,000 euros in corporate income tax for the year 2017. The businessman had already been charged in 2025 in another case of qualified fraud.
The Public Prosecutor's Office has filed charges against five defendants, including four individuals and one legal entity from the Berardo Group, for the crime of qualified tax fraud. In a statement, the Public Prosecutor's Office reveals that the State was allegedly defrauded of approximately 140,000 euros. According to Público, the Madeiran businessman Joe Berardo is...
Former Prime Minister José Sócrates has a new legal defence. According to Observador, court-appointed lawyer Luís Esteves was selected by the General Council of the Bar Association, replacing Marco António Amaro, who had been chosen by lottery but subsequently requested to be excused from the case. Sócrates' new lawyer has been appointed.
The trial for Operation Marquês resumed this Tuesday after a three-week interruption. Former Prime Minister José Sócrates has a new lawyer, the eighth attorney in this case over the course of four months.
In addition to the Madeiran businessman, four other defendants were charged, who allegedly set up a scheme to artificially create losses that allowed them to avoid paying taxes.
In nearly 12 years of legal proceedings, the former prime minister has already had eight lawyers, including four court-appointed ones.
Lawyer Luís Esteves was present at the first session, then to ensure the defence of João Perna, and was appointed by the General Council of the Bar Association. The session was interrupted for over an hour.
The webpage provides a roundup of recent political and social news in Portugal. Key topics include a controversy over meal regimes with the Education Minister considering changes, a fraud case involving businessman Joe Berardo, and a corruption investigation linked to Christmas lights in local authorities. Additionally, there are updates on legal proceedings related to the Operation Marquês case, economic issues such as fuel price increases and vehicle tax payments, and ongoing coverage of the Ukraine conflict. Cultural highlights include an exhibition of Jorge Molder's work, while international concerns focus on a UN report warning that the Ukraine war could push 45 million more people into acute hunger. Local civic news reports police searches connected to an investigation in Tavira.
The Portuguese Navy has reopened disciplinary proceedings against crew members who refused to board the NRP Mondego in 2023, following a Supreme Administrative Court ruling that annulled previous sanctions due to procedural errors.
Judge Susana Seca has ruled that lawyer Marco António Amarote must continue representing José Sócrates until a successor is appointed, preventing further delays in the Operation Marquês corruption trial.
