During his official visit to Angola, the Civic Front asks the Prime Minister to obtain official guarantees from the Angolan state regarding the trial of former Vice President Manuel Vicente, who is accused of bribing prosecutor Orlando Figueira.
In a letter to Prime Minister António Coste, the Civic Front recalls that former Vice President Manuel Vicente was accused of bribing Portuguese prosecutor Orlando Figueira to archive money laundering investigations in which he was the target.
The association also recalls that Orlando Figueira was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison for allowing himself to be corrupted, but Manuel Vicente, accused of being an active corrupt official, never appeared in court, his case was sent to a court in Angola five years ago. back. years. The trial has not yet taken place.
“The conviction of Orlando Figueira confirms the conviction of the State Ministry that Manuel Vicente was in fact the author and instigator of the crime of corruption, which, in his personal gain, wounded the heart of Portuguese justice and the very sovereignty of Portugal as a constitutional state. For this reason, the decision of Manuel Vicente is necessary and urgent,” writes the Civic Front.
According to the association, António Costa, who “publicly welcomed the decision to transfer the trial of Manuel Vicente to the Angolan state,” should receive guarantees for his trial.
“Corrupting a prosecutor is not just an annoyance, it is a serious crime that rightly led to a severe condemnation of a corrupt prosecutor. The accused corrupt official should be tried for the crimes of which he is accused. The trust placed in him by Portugal, leaving the case unpunished, would mean a serious and direct insult to the sovereignty of Portugal, ”the association emphasizes.
The Civic Front also states that “If Angola cannot guarantee a speedy and fair trial against its former Vice President, Portugal will have to return the case to the national courts, as provided by law. for justice to prevail.
Thus, the association asks the Prime Minister to formally request from the Angolan State, as part of his visit to Angola next Monday and Tuesday, “specific and precise guarantees that the delegation of the process will be respected and that the trial of Manuel Vicente will be carried out with guarantees of independence Angolan courts for a specified – and brief – period to be specified.”
A letter was also sent to the Attorney General of the Republic, Lucilia Gago.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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