Prosecutors 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.
TAP Executive President Luis Rodriguez said Tuesday before the Economy, Public Works and Housing Committee that he does not know and has never spoken to Antonio Costa, statements made after the wiretaps were made public.
In response to Lusa’s report on the wiretapping of TAP-related telephone conversations intercepted as part of the Operation Influential Man process, João Lima Cluny, António Costa’s lawyer, said only that “the process in which António Costa was heard is in secret” and that the former First Minister “was not confronted with any of these elements or facts” and had no further comment.
In response to the leaked wiretaps, subscribers to a manifesto calling for justice reform and criticizing the actions of the government ministry, namely Operation Influential Man, which led to the fall of the government of António Costa, in a statement on Tuesday asked for “clarification from the Ministry of Publico and its hierarchy, namely the General Prosecutor of the Republic”, Lucilia Gago.
For the subscribers of this manifesto, the disclosure of the wiretaps “is yet another point, among other things, in violation of the fundamental rules of the democratic rule of law with the involvement and participation of those responsible for the justice and social communications sectors.” which should be in the first line of his defense,” criticizing not only the disclosure, but also its transcription, as well as the fact that it was considered to be of “criminal significance to an ongoing criminal case.”
Lusa contacted Ines Arruda, a lawyer for the former TAP CEO, who declined to comment.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Dave Martin, and I’m an experienced journalist working in the news industry. As a part of my work, I write for 24 News Reporters, covering mostly sports-related topics. With more than 5 years of experience as a journalist, I have written numerous articles on various topics to provide accurate information to readers.