2023-11-16 01:51:01
AFP
António Costa during his electoral campaign in 2022
The Public Ministry of Portugal may have made an investigative error that led to the resignation of the Portuguese Prime Minister, António Costa.
According to CNN de Portugal, the public body made an error in interpreting the transcription notes of a wiretap between Diogo Lacerda Machado, a friend of Prime Minister António Costa, and Afonso Salema, a consultant at Start Campus.
The transcribed notes make reference to “António Costa, which was initially attributed to the prime minister. However, when analyzing the context of the conversations, it was possible to notice that the dialogue mentioned António Costa Silva, Minister of Economy.
António Costa, the prime minister, left office last week after being the target of a search and seizure.
Understand the context of the investigations
The Public Ministry of Portugal is investigating a corruption and influence peddling scandal in lithium exploration concessions in the north of the country, a project to create a hydrogen plant in the port of Sines and investment in a data center in the region.
The suspicion is that crimes of malfeasance, active and passive corruption of politicians and influence peddling have been committed. During the investigation, prosecutors stated in the statement that they became aware that the suspects used Costa’s name and authority to “unblock procedures” related to the business.
Costa’s chief of staff was arrested during the operation, and ministry headquarters were searched. This Tuesday morning, 42 search and seizure warrants were executed. In addition to the prime minister, Portugal’s Infrastructure Minister, João Galamba, is also under investigation.
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