IL criticises silence from Montenegro and minister following Public Prosecutor's searches at Judicial Police
Mariana Leitão demanded clarification from the Prime Minister and Justice Minister regarding the Public Prosecutor's searches at the Judicial Police, linked to director Carlos Cabreiro.
IL leader demands explanations from Government over Public Prosecutor's searches at Judicial Police
Correio da Manhã reports that the president of Liberal Initiative (IL), Mariana Leitão, criticised on Friday the stance of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and Justice Minister Rita Alarcão Júdice regarding searches carried out by the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP) at the Judicial Police (PJ) premises, stating that "Portuguese people needed to know" what the Government is doing.
Leitão was speaking to journalists at the entrance to the reopening of the Territorial Nucleus of Lisbon of the IL, after being questioned about the searches carried out on Wednesday at the PJ premises, as part of a process involving the current director of the police force, Carlos Cabreiro.
"Complete and utter silence"
The IL leader made clear that she does not intend to comment on ongoing investigations, emphasising that "the Public Prosecutor's Office is doing its job". Nonetheless, she said she was surprised by what she described as "complete and utter silence" from the Justice Minister and even from the Prime Minister.
Leitão argued that the PJ falls under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice and that Alarcão Júdice has an obligation to come and "explain what is at stake". She also called for direct clarification from Montenegro on the matter.
When asked about the fact that the minister had already expressed confidence in Carlos Cabreiro, the IL president said she expected a "more forceful, firmer" position from the Government.
"We have at this moment the national director [of the PJ] under investigation and the Justice Minister simply says that she maintains confidence in the person in question. What is happening inside the Judicial Police?", Leitão asked.
Judicial Police "deeply affected"
The IL president considered the Judicial Police to be an institution "deeply affected by a series of cases" that have occurred over recent months, stressing that citizens have the right to know what the executive's response is.
"It would be important for these clarifications to be provided, both by the Justice Minister, but also by the Prime Minister. We are talking about the main criminal investigation police force," Leitão emphasised.
Government reactions
On Wednesday, Montenegro expressed a wish that the searches could contribute to the situation being "rapidly clarified" and result in greater confidence from society in the institutions.
The following day, Minister Alarcão Júdice stated that the MP's measures "do not affect confidence in the National Director of the PJ".
The process in question
The MP carried out searches at the PJ on Wednesday as part of an inquiry opened following a report of suspicion that national director Carlos Cabreiro committed false statements in court and abuse of power. The allegations are related to wiretaps in the context of the "Football Leaks" process.
Source: Correio da Manhã