Ventura and two Chega deputies authorised to give written testimony on alleged parliamentary office break-in
The plenary of the Assembly of the Republic unanimously approved a report authorising André Ventura and two Chega deputies to testify in writing about the alleged break-in at a parliamentary office.
Plenary unanimously approves written testimony from Ventura on alleged break-in at parliamentary office
The plenary of the Assembly of the Republic unanimously approved on Friday a report from the Committee on Transparency and the Status of Deputies authorising the Chega deputies André Ventura, Francisco Gomes and Paulo Seco to provide written testimony regarding the alleged break-in at the parliamentary office of the party leader, according to Público.
The report had been issued on Tuesday by the competent committee. In the document, it states that the three deputies are authorised to "provide written testimony, in the capacity of witnesses, in the scope of inquiry no. 289/26.5JBLSB which is proceeding in the Central Criminal Investigation Court – Judge 6".
The incident of 28 July
On the morning of 28 July, Ventura released a video on social media alleging that his office at the Assembly of the Republic had been broken into and ransacked, adding that the space was not locked.
Subsequently, the Chega president revealed that documents disappeared relating to the Prime Minister and the inquiry commission into Luís Neves's mandates whilst director of the Judicial Police (PJ) — a commission whose creation the party had proposed.
The PJ attended the location through the National Counter-Terrorism Unit. The following day, Ventura reported that the PJ had requested images from his office prior to the alleged break-in and wanted to establish whether the pen drives "that had disappeared had ever been placed into the computer".
Public Prosecutor's Office confirms urgent inquiry
On 30 July, the Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed to Lusa the opening of an inquiry, which is proceeding in the Regional Department of Investigation and Criminal Action (DIAP) of Lisbon, with assistance from the PJ.
About two weeks before this plenary vote, the Attorney General of the Republic, Amadeu Guerra, classified the inquiry as urgent. On Tuesday, Guerra reiterated that the Public Prosecutor's Office is "working to ensure everything moves quickly" in cases involving Minister Luís Neves and the alleged break-in at the office of the Chega president.
In statements made in Beja, Guerra emphasised that the case "is under investigation with speed", noting that the investigation proceeded even during the holiday period.
Case used as a political weapon
The alleged break-in at Ventura's office, which occurred at the end of July, quickly became an instrument of confrontation between parties. Insinuations have circulated that the incident was staged, which Chega rejects.
Source: Público