Prosecutor under investigation for gunfire appointed coordinator of public prosecutor's office in Azores
The CSMP appointed Rogério Osório by majority as coordinator of the Azores district, despite two pending cases. The prosecutor-general voted against.
Controversial appointment divides Superior Council of the Public Prosecutor's Office
The Superior Council of the Public Prosecutor's Office (CSMP) decided, by majority, to appoint prosecutor Rogério Osório as coordinator of the Azores district, despite the magistrate being investigated in two proceedings — one criminal and one disciplinary — following shots fired at a suspect in a jewellery shop robbery in November 2024. The decision, taken in July during the judicial recess, generated a profound division within the body, as reported by Correio da Manhã.
Gunfire in Valença do Minho at the origin of the proceedings
The case dates back to November 2024, when the GNR carried out an operation in Valença do Minho against a group suspected of jewellery shop robberies. After one of the guards fired a warning shot into the air, Rogério Osório opened fire in the direction of the suspects, striking one of them in the abdomen. The Public Prosecutor's Office immediately opened a criminal investigation, but almost two years later, the results of the case remain unknown. The robbers, for their part, have already been tried and convicted to prison sentences.
Law provides for suspension of promotions in pending cases
The Public Prosecutor's Office Statute stipulates that "public prosecutors against whom a disciplinary or criminal proceeding is pending are graded for promotion or appointment, without prejudice to these being suspended as regards them". Nevertheless, the majority of CSMP members — all prosecutors — considered that Osório could be appointed to the position of coordinator in the Azores, notwithstanding the two ongoing proceedings.
Prosecutor-general and several members voted against
The decision faced widespread opposition within the Council itself. Voting against were the prosecutor-general of the Republic, Amadeu Guerra, deputy prosecutor-general Pedro do Carmo, members elected by Parliament Fernando Seara, Fernando Silva, Vânia Álvares and Alexandra Vaz, as well as Bernardo Caldas, a member appointed by the Justice Minister.
At the session on 15 July, Fernando Seara left a forthright statement of his vote. For the advocate, "it cannot be accepted" that Rogério Osório "should assume the functions to which he has been appointed, before the proceedings are concluded". Seara further warned that the case should receive "high levels of caution so as not to run the risk of a generalised understanding that the CSMP and the Public Prosecutor's Office itself have different positions, depending on the nature of whoever carries out the acts".
Prosecutor has YouTube channel on electric vehicles
Beyond his activity in the courts, Rogério Osório maintains a YouTube channel in his spare time, called 'CarrosEv', dedicated to analysis of the car market. In 2022, the CSMP authorised the part-time regime for the prosecutor for this project, having classified the activity as "artistic creation" and not as concealed advertising for car brands.
Source: Correio da Manhã