This Wednesday, the BE coordinator criticized the wiretapping of former Prime Minister António Costa, deeming it unacceptable to maintain it when it has no criminal significance, and said that it is a case of interference in political actions.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference at party headquarters, Mariana Mortagua stressed that the uncovered wiretaps “have no criminal significance” either in Operation Influencer or in any other case of the criminal investigation.
He also stated that “from the point of view of the rule of law it is unacceptable” to bug a former ruler or any other citizen and that “these bugs continue when they have no criminal significance.”
According to Mariana Mortagua, what is happening is a case of surveillance and political interference, and not a criminal investigation.
“What we are seeing, in essence, is not a criminal investigation, but rather a kind of surveillance and interference in acts of political governance. And we must separate these two realities,” he said.
And he added: “In a criminal investigation, wiretapping is and can be used, which is provided for by law. Wiretapping that is not related to a criminal investigation, that is not related to a criminal investigation, is unacceptable, and this concerns the Prime Minister and is valid.” for every citizen of this country.”
CNN Portugal published on Tuesday a recording of Operation Influencer carried out on March 5 last year, in which António Costa told former minister João Galamba that Cristina Ourmières-Widener would have to leave the leadership of TAP for political reasons in order to contain possible damage to the government.
Prosecutors have already launched an investigation into the leak of information in the Influencer process after a transcript of wiretaps between former Prime Minister António Costa and then-Infrastructure Minister João Galamba was made public.
According to information published by several news organizations, the lawmaker’s investigation is focused on wiretaps released Tuesday by CNN Portugal, including recordings of António Costa calling João Galamba to order the dismissal of TAP’s executive president for political reasons following a disputed compensation . 500 thousand euros to the former administrator Alexandra Reis.
Photos were also published showing how 75,800 euros in banknotes were hidden in a room in the Palacio de Sao Bento where António Costa’s then chief of staff Vitor Escaria, one of five detained in the process last November, worked.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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