Latest news and stories about court case in legal in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
The trial concerning the death of Odaír Moniz reaches its final phase at the Sintra Court, with closing arguments set to commence following the testimony of a final PJ inspector.
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.
Suspects return to court on 6 November.
Former Prime Minister José Sócrates has labelled the money laundering trial beginning this Monday in Lisbon as “absurd,” noting it stems from the 2021 instructional decision of the Operação Marquês case. The charges involve the alleged use of bank accounts belonging to businessman Carlos Santos Silva, his wife, and Sócrates' chauffeur between 2011 and 2014 to funnel illicit funds to the former Prime Minister. Prosecutors claim Santos Silva acted as a straw man to conceal bribes intended to benefit the Lena Group, the Espírito Santo Group, and the Vale do Lobo luxury development. Sócrates argues that the court is initiating a redundant trial on facts already under discussion in the main Operação Marquês case, which has been ongoing since July 2025. He contends that being forced to defend himself simultaneously in two different courts against overlapping factual matters is a breach of due process and a personal burden. Both Sócrates and Santos Silva, who deny the allegations, will be judged by a collective of three judges until at least April 2027.
The former prime minister José Sócrates described the money laundering trial, which begins today in Lisbon, as “absurd”, in a case resulting from the 2021 instructional decision of the Operation Marquês proceedings.
At issue is the alleged use by the defendants, between 2011 and 2014, of bank accounts belonging to a company controlled by businessman Carlos Santos Silva.
At issue is the alleged use by the defendants, between 2011 and 2014, of bank accounts belonging to a company controlled by Carlos Santos Silva.
They stated in court that they believe in their mother's innocence. They refuse compensation should she be convicted.
The 10-year prison sentence was confirmed in April 2025 by the Lisbon Court of Appeal, which prompted the appeal filed with the Supreme Court of Justice.
Goldman Sachs is to face the liquidators of Banco Espírito Santo in a Lisbon court over more than €90 million in fees and interest linked to a financing deal completed The post Goldman Sachs in court over €90 million received weeks before BES banking collapse appeared first on Portugal Resident.
Members of the Grande Oriente Lusitano fear that secrets will be revealed. This follows a lawsuit filed by five 'expelled brothers', which for the first time in history places the obedience on trial. The concern led the Grand Master to hold a special meeting. The Freemasons managed to postpone the trial, but the judge insists on having the documents.
In addition to their relationships with José Sócrates, those questioned were also asked about other names involved in the case, such as Armando Vara or Carlos Santos Silva
José Sócrates is at the Campus de Justiça this Tuesday for another session of Operation Marquês.
The trial regarding the case in Rato is being conducted in private to ensure the protection and dignity of the victims involved.
The trial of the two PSP officers accused of torturing several citizens at the Rato police station began this Friday at the Campus da Justiça. Only the reading of the verdict will be public.
In four and a half hours of testimony, the former official reinforced arguments regarding the Paris house, the high-speed rail project and the houses in Venezuela, but spoke little about other aspects, such as the money trails.
The former prime minister returned to the court that is trying him after a year. In the ninth session in which he spoke, he once again accused one of the prosecutors, describing him as a coward.
The main defendant returned to court to resume the “initial statements” he had interrupted a year ago. The money transfers were once again left out, and Sócrates took the opportunity to attack the Public Prosecutor's Office, the court, and the “delusional” people who hold him responsible for the succession of lawyer resignations.
The defendant and the victim had been in a relationship since 2024. The following year, he allegedly “squeezed the victim's neck with force” until her death. He was arrested in the Czech Republic in 2025 and extradited to Portugal.
The client would call to book hours, choose the woman he wanted to be with, and even select the room. Police officers are also among the witnesses.
Driver involved in the death of a Rolex gang member punished for taking 1.2 million euros from Fernando Póvoas. The sentence was suspended.
The court did not find it proven that Rita Rodrigues insulted the two officers, who also accused her of attempting to prevent the arrest of a street vendor. The officers are currently imprisoned due to the Rato case.
The appeal argues that if a sentence is to be imposed, it should be 'lower'. Regarding compensation, the defence for officer Bruno Pinto argues that if it is to be paid, it should be charged to the State.
The session will resume in September, as the court wants to hear from the children's father.
In court, the spy faces his former colleagues from the SIS. To defend himself, Carvalhão Gil attacks the system. He will never admit to the crime of espionage. That does not mean he will not be convicted for it.
The defence for the musician from Mafra must file an appeal by the beginning of October.
The Public Prosecutor's Office has cleared all suspects involved in the killing of more than 400 animals at the Herdade da Torre Bela estate in Azambuja in 2020.
The Public Prosecution Service will appeal the acquittal of former banker Ricardo Salgado and other defendants in a case involving alleged corruption of a former vice-president of Banco do Brasil, the Attorney General's Office confirmed on Tuesday, July 21. The Lisbon Central Criminal Court acquitted the eight defendants on Monday, including Salgado, who was accused of paying 1.8 million dollars to former Banco do Brasil vice-president Allan Simões Toledo via offshore entities to secure a 200 million dollar loan for the now-defunct Banco Espírito Santo. The judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence of a corrupt pact. The case also involved unproven suspicions regarding the Venezuelan oil company PDVSA. Other defendants include João Alexandre Silva, Humberto Coelho, Paulo Nacif Jorge, Paulo Murta, and lawyers Miguel Freitas and Sofia Freitas.
The Central Criminal Court of Lisbon acquitted all defendants this Monday, July 20, including former banker Ricardo Salgado, in a case related to the alleged corruption of a former vice-president of Banco do Brasil. The former president of Banco Espírito Santo (BES) was accused of paying 1.8 million dollars (approximately 15.7 million euros at the current exchange rate) to Allan Simões Toledo, using entities in tax havens, to ensure that Banco do Brasil provided 200 million dollars (nearly 175 million euros at the current exchange rate) in financing to the Portuguese bank, which went bankrupt in 2014. The acts under suspicion occurred between 2011 and 2014, and the former vice-president of Banco do Brasil was not a defendant in this trial, which began on May 20, 2025. BESA case: Court of Appeal rules that Salgado must stand trial.
The case concerns a social media post in which the Chega MP suggested that José Manuel Pureza had committed a “crime against sexual freedom and self-determination” against “a young militant/supporter” of the Left Bloc (BE).
