Interrogations of corruption suspects in Madeira began late in the evening

The interrogations of the three, detained a week ago in an operation on suspicion of corruption in Madeira, began this Wednesday at the Justice Campus in Lisbon at 19:30, and the work was interrupted at 20:00.

After another day marked by procedures related to the case, the criminal investigation judge began listening to businessman Custodio Correia, the main shareholder of the civil engineering group Socicorreia, adjourning at 20:00.

According to a judicial source, the continuation of the interrogation of Custodio Correia will continue on Thursday from 9:30.

In addition to Custodio Correia, the now former mayor of Funchal Pedro Calado (NSD) and Avelino Fariña from the AFA group were detained.

Leaving the Central Criminal Court, Custodio Correia’s lawyer Andre Navarro de Noronha expressed satisfaction with the start of the interrogations, emphasizing that the businessman is ready to “answer all questions.”

“It’s a relief to start. I’m hoping it’s just a problem with the starter and that now when the car is pushed it starts right away,” he noted.

Asked about the work, Andre Navarro de Noronha said his client would answer all questions asked, noting that it was still at a “very early stage.”

The defense lawyer also expressed regret over the delay in the start of interrogations, considering that this was a “Portuguese style” interpretation of what the European Court of Human Rights determines.

“It is on the fifth day, at the end of the fifth session, that the interrogation begins, when the law determines 48 hours for the court appearance. The jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights sets a maximum of four days. We are with this Portuguese interpretation that it takes 48 hours to begin with, and then whatever our Lord God wants will be done,” he criticized.

Also this Wednesday, the Supreme Council of the Judiciary (SCJ) said it was “concerned” about the delay in the first judicial interrogations, acknowledged that it was exploring “practical solutions” to address the problem of restrictions on the constitutional rights of the accused, and proposed changes to the law.

“Naturally, the Council is concerned about this issue because what is at stake is the limitation of a constitutionally protected right. The Council therefore recognizes that it is exploring the development of practical solutions to mitigate the mentioned limiting effects, especially when the complexity of the process does not allow. The legislator, from the point of view of the SCM, should also naturally have the right to vote,” the SCM said this Wednesday in response to Lusa.

Without directly mentioning the case, the Bar Association also issued a statement this Wednesday noting “with concern the existence of detention of citizens subject to first judicial interrogation, detention for several days without completion of interrogation within a reasonable and reasonable time.” proportionate time.”

“Regardless of the legal agreements that may exist on this issue, it is unacceptable that this type of action becomes frequent and commonplace, whether in media cases or in cases against anonymous citizens,” it said.

Pedro Calado, who on Monday formalized his resignation as president of Madeira’s largest chamber, Custodio Correia and Avelino Fariña were arrested on January 24 after about 130 searches of houses and other premises carried out by the Judicial Police (PJ), mainly in Madeira. , but also in the Azores and in some areas of the continent.

The operation also affected the president of the regional government (PSD/CDS-PP), Miguel Albuquerque, who was named as a defendant and officially resigned from his position on Monday, which he announced on Friday.

According to court documents to which Lusa had access, the ministry states that the president of the regional government of Madeira, Miguel Albuquerque (PSD), the former president of the Funchal city council, Pedro Calado (PSD), and the head of the construction group of the AFA company, Avelino Fariña, “over time established a special relationship intimacy and trust” that benefited this business group “contrary to the rules of free competition and government procurement.”

Among the contracts subject to criminal investigation, according to court documents, are the concession for public road passenger transport services on the island of Madeira, the concession for the Curral das Freiras cable car, the Praia Formosa project and Funchal Jazz 2022-2023.