In the latest twist in the investigation that has seen former prime minister José Sócrates jailed without charge for almost seven weeks, “super-judge” Carlos Alexandre is reported to have swooped on Barclays Bank in Lisbon’s Palácio Sottomayor, where he requested access to various private accounts.
According to Correio da Manhã, Alexandre is on the money-trail, tracking the movement of funds in the sights of Operation Marquês, the probe that sees Sócrates and his close friend Carlos Santos Silva suspected of active corruption, qualified fraud and money laundering.
Both men remain behind bars as the investigation continues – and although Sócrates’ appeal against detention is due to be heard any day now, it is unlikely that he will be freed from Évora jail.
CM writes that prosecutor Rosário Teixeira is dead against Sócrates’ release, and the official line has been that it could compromise the police investigation.
Meantime, according to the paper, the “Mourinho of the Justice System” (Alexandre) won access to “various accounts” held at the branch by Sócrates’ co-defendant and these gave “innumerous information on bank transfers and deposits made during the last few years”.
The objective is not just to track money in and out, but to identify the account holders involved, “be they the names of businesses or individuals”.
CM added that this particular branch of Barclays only deals with “premium savings accounts” holding a minimum in cash of €150,000.
As the investigation now analyses the information gleaned, CM reports that in Covilhã an enterprising businessman is organising a bus-jamboree to Évora jail for anyone who wants to support José Sócrates. The trip will cost €12, and as José António Pinho explains: “The idea is not to affirm the innocence of the ex-PM, but just to show solidarity with a man who did a lot for the town, and the region.”
Anyone keen to take the trip can find out more details on Pinho’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/joseantonio.pinho.18?fref=ts
