The former mayor of Caminha, Miguel Alves, expressed satisfaction with the acquittal this Thursday of the crime of a political official and did not rule out a return to political activity.
“My future is to hug my family, to be with people who love me very much. I am very happy because it has been proven that I have always acted in the interests of society, always in accordance with the law,” he said in statements to journalists at the end of the verdict read out in the Viana do Castelo court.
This Thursday, the Viana do Castelo court acquitted the former mayor of Caminha, Miguel Alves, and the businesswoman Manuela Souza of committing malfeasance in the award of a public contract for communications consulting services for the municipality.
The judge who headed the group that considered this case emphasized that the court considered “the deputy’s accusation unproven” and that the complicity in the crime of a political official was not supported by “any evidence.” ., for which the former mayor of the PS and the businesswoman were accused.
When asked about his future, Miguel Alves said that he never says “never” when faced with challenges.
“I have been involved in social and political activities for quite a long time. I’m old enough and experienced enough to never say never to any challenge. At this point, it’s about consolidating my professional career, hugging my family and, in some ways, because it’s been a very difficult year and a half for me and the people who love me,” he said.
The socialist believed that justice had been done in his case, but acknowledged the “personal, professional and family damage” caused by the process.
“What happened will not bring back the joy to my family, the work I could have done in government, my commitment to the municipality of Caminha. There are things that will never come back. But politicians must be prepared for such situations. ,” He said.
Miguel Alves, who resigned as the prime minister’s undersecretary of state after learning of the accusation, said he had “always” maintained his “innocence” and added that politicians “must be prepared to be tested and that If anonymous complaints arise, they must be clarified.”
“When I resigned from the government because of this accusation, I knew that I had done nothing, but I also knew that in carrying out my duties I had to be above all suspicion, and at that moment I was already accused.” I resigned and came to defend myself. I did not ask to start an investigation. I wanted the trial to take place as quickly as possible, and everything to be fully clarified, nothing was proven,” he emphasized.
For the Socialist Party, more important than the trial that ended this Thursday, “this is a particularly urgent moment” that the country is going through, referring to early legislative elections on March 10, warning of the need to accept “options.” “.
“In these options, we need to look at those who pass sentences on tobacco smoking, who perceive any suspicion as final, because they will ultimately worsen, they worsen our rule of law, our democracy,” he said.
Businesswoman Manuela Souza delegated press statements to her lawyer, who said that “justice has been done” because “nothing” will “give back” to the former mayor and businesswoman what this “trial has taken from them.”
Solange Jesus praised the “impeccable analysis” and “serious position” of the group of judges who presided over the trial, and criticized the “persecutive attitude” of the MP.
“If we continue this attitude, one day we will not have serious, correct and quality politicians at the head of institutions. We will not have quality businessmen willing to work with the government. Today some justice has been restored. It’s a shame that because of this, the Secretary of State, a man of great merit, who will probably go far, has fallen. It’s a shame that because of this, a successful businesswoman lost her authority. There will be no recovery, but at least today we left here happy, satisfied, with a sense of accomplishment,” said Manuela Souza’s lawyer.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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