The trial of Manuel Pinho and Ricardo Salgado enters final arguments

The EDP trial, in which former Economy Minister Manuel Pinho, his wife Alexandra Pinho and former Banco Espirito Santo (BES) President Ricardo Salgado are accused, is expected to enter the final phase of charges this Monday.

At the Central Criminal Court of Lisbon, almost seven months after the trial began, the Ministry of State (MP), represented by prosecutor Rui Batista, is scheduled to begin its final arguments from 9:30 a.m., presenting its arguments. after the presentation of evidence in the courtroom.

When the trial began on October 10, the prosecutor confirmed that Manuel Pinho continued to serve the Espirito Santo Group (GES), as Minister of Economy between 2005 and 2009, making decisions in the name of the interests of GES and Ricardo Salgado, rather than in accordance with public interests.

The MP’s closing arguments were originally scheduled to begin in March, but were postponed for various reasons, including difficulties in hearing witnesses or the personal circumstances of some participants in the trial.

Unless the schedule is changed, Manuel Pinho’s final defense arguments will take place on Tuesday, presented by lawyers Ricardo Sa Fernandez and Ines Rogueiro.

Defense appearances by Alexandra Pinho and Ricardo Salgado, who are represented in the trial by lawyers Manuel Magalhães and Silva, respectively, have been postponed until Wednesday.

Manuel Pinho, under house arrest since December 2021, is on trial in the EDP case of passive corruption for an unlawful act, passive corruption, money laundering and tax fraud.

His wife Alexandra Pinho is responsible for money laundering and tax fraud (materially co-authored with her husband), and former BES President Ricardo Salgado is responsible for active corruption for illegal acts, active corruption and money laundering. .