Sócrates's partner remains silent in Operation Marquês court
Lígia Correia, who has lived with the former prime minister since 2014, refused to give evidence in the corruption case, citing her emotional relationship. The judge scheduled a new hearing for 30 June.
Sócrates's partner remains silent in Operation Marquês court
The panel of judges presiding over the Operation Marquês trial saw one of Thursday's witnesses refuse to cooperate. Lígia Correia, who has shared a life with José Sócrates since 2014, chose not to answer the questions put to her, basing her refusal on the relationship she maintains with the former head of government. The court adjourned the hearing until 30 June at 09:30.
At the start of the session, Lígia Correia stated that she did not need legal representation. She recounted that she has known the defendant since 2011, with breaks in contact, and that both have lived together for more than a decade. Shortly afterwards, when faced with specific questions about the case, she opted for silence. Following a break, she reconsidered and asked for time to hire a lawyer.
Before this incident, Célia Tavares was heard, who confirmed that she had a relationship with Sócrates between 2012 and 2014. This witness stated that João Perna, the former government official's driver and also a defendant, personally handed her envelopes containing sums between 300 and 400 euros on several occasions. She added that she also received approximately two thousand euros via bank transfer. According to her account, these amounts were intended to cover household expenses and university fees, as she was studying law at the time. Célia Tavares also mentioned that she made 17 trips to the French capital, where she visited two properties of the former socialist leader.
José Sócrates is one of 21 defendants and faces charges of passive corruption, among others, for allegedly having accepted financial compensation in exchange for favouring the Lena group, the Espírito Santo Group, and the Vale do Lobo development.
Source: Correio da Manhã