Lawyer Paulo Sae Cunha, who represents the mayor of Funchal, detained on suspicion of corruption in Madeira, said this Friday that Pedro Calado will make statements to “clarify the truth.”
Paulo Sa e Cunha spoke to reporters this afternoon at the entrance to the Central Criminal Court, in the Judicial Campus building, in the Parque das Nações in Lisbon, where he returned in the afternoon to collect documentation related to the trial.
“Yes, my constituent’s intention is to provide clarification. To answer the questions asked, always with the aim of clarifying the truth and excluding any criminal charges that may be in mind,” said Paulo Sa e Cunha.
The lawyer recalled that “no process of this magnitude and nature is easy.”
The lawyer declined to comment further, adding that it would be “very premature” given that he first came into contact with the process “yesterday.” [quinta-feira] noon”.
“I can’t say much because I don’t know much, anything I could say would be speculative,” he stressed.
Paulo Sa e Cunha also said that for some types of crimes it is necessary to “avoid long-term detention”, stressing that one should not rush and “stop doing things that are useful for protection, remembering that the voters are in an unpleasant position.” situation”.
“We have three detainees, I don’t think it’s justified to extend it for many days. But the process is long and there’s a lot of evidence,” he admitted.
However, the lawyer for the mayor of Funchal hopes that the investigation will be closed “as quickly as possible,” noting that it is harmful for justice in general “for such steps and years before the investigation is closed.”
According to a judicial source, the trial involving the mayor of Funchal and two businessmen – Custodio Correia and Avelino Fariña – will be headed by Judge Jorge Melo.
The interrogation of the three detainees will begin on Saturday at 10:00, after their identities are established this Friday.
Speaking to reporters outside the court late in the morning, Raul Soares da Veiga, the lawyer for Avelino Fariña, one of the detained businessmen, said his client was “taken by surprise” but would answer everything.
“Go ahead and answer. Make everything very clear so that there are no misunderstandings. You will see that what appears to be is not,” said Raul Soares da Veiga, leaving the Central Court of Investigation and Criminal Affairs at the Justice Campus in the Parque des Nations in Lisbon.
On Wednesday, after about 130 house and outside searches carried out by the PS, mainly in Madeira, but also in the Azores and several areas of the continent, the mayor of Funchal Pedro Calado (PSD), leader of the party, according to a source in the investigation, reported Lusa construction group AFA Avelino Fariña and CEO and main shareholder of the construction group Socicorreia Custódio Correia, who is Avelino Fariña’s partner in several companies.
As part of this process, the President of the Regional Government of Madeira, Miguel Albuquerque (PSD), was also indicted.
According to the Judicial Police, these include suspicions of active and passive corruption, economic participation in business, malfeasance, receiving or offering an undue advantage, abuse of power and abuse of influence.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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