The Chamber of Sines (Setúbal) said it is cooperating with the judicial investigation into the lithium, hydrogen and data center businesses that led to the arrest of President Nuno Mascarenhas (PS) on Tuesday.
In a brief statement published on its official website, the socialist-majority municipality confirmed that “legal action was taken” on Tuesday following an ongoing investigation into lithium, green hydrogen and data center construction.
“The vice-president of the Siniša City Council confirms that (…) the investigations in this municipality were carried out by the competent judicial authorities,” the note said.
In a statement, the municipality said it “will continue to cooperate with the investigation.”
Vice-President Fernando Ramos, contacted by Lusa today, explained that the searches in the main council building “took place until 20:30” on Tuesday, also covering other services of the municipality.
“These measures have always been accompanied by President Nuno Mascarenhas, who was detained as part of the operation, “and with the support of all the services requested,” he said.
According to Fernando Ramos, “the cell was closed all day” but returned to “normal and regular operation” this Wednesday.
Questioned by Lusa, the vice president refused to comment on the specific judicial investigation that led to the arrest of the mayor and four others, as well as the detention of two accused, which also led to the resignation of Prime Minister Antonio Costa.
The other four defendants are the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Vitor Escaria, two administrators of the company Start Campus, the promoter of a data center in Sines, and consultant and lawyer Diogo Lacerda Machado.
The Public Ministry (MP) also named Infrastructure Minister João Galamba and the President of the Board of Directors of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), Nuno Lacasta, as defendants.
The investigation led to the prime minister’s resignation on Tuesday after a lawmaker revealed Antonio Costa was the subject of an independent Supreme Court inquiry into the matter.
The President of the Republic has convened the parties for a round of hearings at the Belém Palace in Lisbon this Wednesday and will meet with the Council of State on Thursday.
In a statement at the Sao Bento Palace, Costa refused to commit “any illegal or objectionable act” and expressed his full willingness to cooperate with justice “in whatever he deems necessary.”
As reported by the weekly Expresso, citing information contained in the search records, it reported today that Diogo’s lawyer Lacerda Machado was hired by Start Campus to “take advantage of his friendly relations with the Prime Minister” and his “closeness” with Vitor Escaria.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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