ABOUT CM knows that we are talking about crimes against the rule of law, malfeasance, undue benefit, passive corruption, active corruption, economic participation in business, abuse of power and influence peddling.
Avelino Fariña, president of the AFA group, is also suspected of the same crimes and was also arrested.
Among those detained is also Custodio Correia, partner of the leader of the AFA group, which is associated with several fields such as construction, tourism and social communications. Miguel Albuquerque was not detained because the law does not allow it, since he has immunity as a member of the Council of State.
Prosecutors believe that since 2015, there was an organized scheme between Pedro Calado and Miguel Albuquerque, with Albuquerque interfering with Calado’s functions in relation to the municipality and the chamber interfering with the actions of the regional government. The goal will always be to give preference to certain private builders and managers, using public tenders tailored to the AFA and Pestana groups. The plan was aimed at the personal enrichment of Albuquerque and Pedro Calado.
Afonso da Silva, Albuquerque’s right-hand man, Antonio and Susana Prada, Luis Silva and Bruno Freitas are also suspects. Bruno Freitas worked in the regional government department of tourism and was currently associated with the AFA group.
The investigating judge who issued the warrants was Nuno Diaz, who presided over the interrogations as part of Operation Influential Man and who, starting this Friday, will preside over the first interrogations in the case.