Still no defendants; still no hint of a sign of the five fleeing prisoners
A total of 18 prison guards – roughly half the number on duty on the fateful Saturday when five ‘extremely violent’ offenders escaped in broad daylight – have already been heard in the inquiry opened into the incident by Justice Minister Rita Júdice.
According to reports, another 20 guards will be questioned, as witnesses – and the final report may end up simply recommending ‘disciplinary measures’.
All the guards are being questioned in the presence of lawyer Pedro Proença, who is acting for the national syndicate of prison guards in this matter.
So far, says syndicate president Frederico Morais, there have been no ‘suspects’ (arguidos) formalised (ie no one is being made to shoulder the blame, in spite of the damning interview given to RTP by outgoing director general of prisons Rui Abrunhosa Gonçalves).
As to ‘the rest’: the jail now has a new director (Carlos Moreira) – and there has been no hint of any sign of the runaway men since their images were ‘captured’ on Vale do Judeu’s security cameras as they made their escape.
An amusing ‘theory’ as to where the men could be came at the end of a five-hour council meeting in Vila do Bispo recently, where local people were forced to wait all those five hours to bring the council’s attention to matters they believe are important, and should be addressed.
Local businessman Joaquim Lourenço – the boss of Salema ECO campo – said he would not be at all surprised if the runaways were wild camping on the Costa Vicentina. In spite of all the rules in this country against indiscriminate camping and the coastal parking of motorhomes, both continue with impunity, he said. “No one checks who comes here; who they are; where they have come from…”
If wild campers used the facilities that people like Lourenço have created, their passport details etc. would all be logged. But no, instead authorities turn a completely blind eye to this massive loss in potential income; this extraordinary loss to local businesses that have created facilities for campers. In short, the Costa Vicentina is the perfect place for anyone on the run. No one will come looking for them, says Lourenço.
This theory was only an aside to Mr Lourenço’s intervention (at 1am, minute 4:59.44 in the Youtube recording) He was hoping to see some change in the official treatment of ‘wild campers’ who, he warned, are plastering protected countryside with excrement and toilet paper – while environmentally-sensitive businesses like Salema ECO Camp are running at little more than half capacity.
