The Service for Foreigners and Border Guards (SEF) announced this Wednesday that two Portuguese nationals and five companies have been charged as part of an investigation into possible human trafficking with epicenter at the football academy in Famalicana.
The SEF statement added that 47 victims of human trafficking were identified, of which 36 were minors and nine were young adults.
“They were all placed under the protection of the Portuguese state,” the statement said.
The minors were placed in social welfare institutions at the direction of the Commission for the Protection of Children and Youth and the Family and Juvenile Court of Vila Nova de Famalicán.
A total of 85 foreigners were identified, including adults and minors.
In a note published on his page, Porto’s regional attorney general states that the minors were removed from the academy “because they were in a dangerous situation.”
The prosecution also stated that other young people of legal age were sent to different shelters.
On Monday, the SEF executed five court search warrants, seizing documents, namely passports and residence permits, that their owners did not have.
The searches took place at the football academy in Riba de Ave, Vila Nova de Famalicán, as well as at the home of the President of the General Assembly of the Portuguese Professional Football League, Mario Costa, associated with this academy.
Mario Costa resigned this Wednesday from his post at the League.
In a letter sent to Lusa, his lawyer Raúl Soares da Veiga confirmed the resignation, opining that “when everything is clear and the process is archived, Mario Costa will again cooperate with the League with the same enthusiasm as always.”
The searches on Monday were attended by 52 SEB officers, accompanied by a prosecutor.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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