Former PM Jose Socrates Faces Renewed Corruption Charges
Former Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates is standing trial for corruption charges reinstated after being lifted four years ago. Despite denying wrongdoing, he faces 22 offenses, including passive corruption and tax fraud. This follows Portugal's lengthy legal processes and Socrates' contentious political past.
- Country:
- Portugal
Jose Socrates, Portugal's former Prime Minister, appeared before the court on Thursday, facing corruption charges reinstated after being lifted four years prior. The trial, long anticipated, marks a significant chapter in Portugal's extensive corruption inquiry known as Operation Marquis.
Socrates, who denies any wrongdoing, sought to have the trial suspended and the presiding judge replaced, claims that were rejected by the Central Criminal Court of Lisbon. He criticized the judicial system for manipulating the statute of limitations to reinstate the charges.
This high-profile case involves 22 charges, including passive corruption and money laundering. Socrates was initially charged with 31 offenses, with some lapsing due to expired statutes of limitations. The investigation also implicates former executives from Banco Espirito Santo and Portugal Telecom.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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