The Minister of National Defense on Wednesday considered that the published cases do not affect the public image of the ministry, and assured that she is ready for “all actions” when there are court decisions.
At Air Base No. 5 in Monte Real, Leiria, where she met with students as part of National Defense Day, Helena Carreiras was questioned by some students about cases such as the “Perfect Storm” process.
As a result, he told reporters that “the image of the ministry is not affected” by the publicized situations revealed during the reign of his predecessor João Gomes Craviño.
“It will only suffer if we don’t do what we need to do to ensure more transparency and more control. From the very beginning of all these processes, I requested various checks from the National Defense Inspectorate, checks from the Accounts Chamber. “We are working on a plan to reorganize the resources of the General Directorate of National Defense Resources. There have been disciplinary processes, there is ongoing training to address these issues,” the minister said.
The Minister of National Defense also confirmed that she is “committed to ensuring that all responsibility is determined, the whole truth is revealed, while supporting the work of judicial institutions.”
Referring to the situation of the secretary general of the ministry, who remains in his post despite the fact that in August he was named as an accused, the minister emphasized that “the prosecutor’s office understood that the suspicions that exist and which served as the motive for the investigation are not such as to suspend functions.”
“I will respect this decision and am prepared to take whatever action is necessary in light of this work to secure justice,” he added.
At the Monte Real airbase, he made a request: “Let’s not hold summary trials in a public square. Let the rule of law operate and justice function. We deserve that respect.”
On Tuesday, Chega demanded that the Minister of National Defense hold a parliamentary hearing on the situation with the secretary general of the ministry.
The parliamentary group cited news published by the Expresso newspaper that said the Secretary General of the Ministry of National Defense, João Ribeiro, continues to carry out his duties after being named in early August as a defendant who will be investigated in an autonomous process. to “The Perfect Storm”.
According to Expresso, João Ribeiro is suspected of abuse of power and computer fraud.
In August, prosecutors indicted 73 defendants in a process related to the awarding of works by the General Directorate of National Defense Resources (DGRDN), including former director Alberto Coelho, with passive corruption, money laundering, embezzlement and forgery.
The indictment in the “Perfect Storm” case, which Luz’s agency had access to, also claims that Alberto Coelho should be obliged to pay the state more than 86 thousand euros, which, in their opinion, corresponds to the benefits obtained illegally.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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