SIS merged with PJ to preserve document integrity

The Prime Minister claims that he was aware that SIS was working with the SP to preserve the integrity of the classified documents contained in the computer taken by Frederico Pinheiro from the Ministry of Infrastructure.

This statement appears in António Costa’s replies, accessed by the Portuguese agency, to a request that PSD addressed to him with fifteen questions about the work of the Security Information Service (SIS) to recover the laptop taken by Frederico Pinheiro, former Assistant Minister of Infrastructure João Galamba on the night of 26 April.

On the question of “what information or documentation is stored on the computer and what risks were associated with it, which, in his opinion, would justify the intervention of the SIRP (Portuguese Republic Information System) / SIS?”, the Prime Minister states that he does not aware of “the contents of the documentation contained in the computer”.

However, he states that he is aware that “at least some of his documents were classified by the competent authority and their integrity and completeness were properly maintained by SIS until they were delivered to CEGER – Centro de Gestão da Rede Informática do Governo. and then collected by the Judicial Police (PJ).”

Answering the question about “apparent inconsistency in the actions of various forces and security services or information” in this case, the head of the executive branch argues that “the actions of the SIS cannot be confused with the actions of the criminal police, which act within the framework of investigative criminal law, taking into account its tactical and police independence and under the direction of a competent judicial authority”.

“As far as I know, SIS has duly cooperated with PJ, namely in maintaining the integrity and completeness of the information contained in the computer, which was transferred to her by Dr. Federico Pinheiro,” he adds.

As for the explanation why “there was also no initiative to seize other equipment, including a mobile phone in the possession of a former adviser” by the intelligence services, Costa responds: “I don’t have information that allows me to answer this question.” .

Asked if he “considers it normal practice in the ministry” that a document such as the TAP restructuring program was supposedly only “stored on a deputy’s laptop”, the prime minister replies: “I don’t consider it normal practice.”

In response to the PSD, António Costa claims that he is not yet aware that before the night of April 26, “the SIS received a report of any suspicion or that this service was carrying out any operational activities related to Dr. Frederico Pinheiro.” .

Regarding the classification process and access to confidential information, the Prime Minister refers to the fact that “the documentation was classified by the competent authority – the National Security Agency – and, therefore, only legally accredited persons could access it.”