A
Portuguese judge charged former Prime Minister, Jose Socrates,
with corruption and tax fraud and ordered that he remain in preventive
custody.
According to The Times of India, Socrates’ arrest on Friday shocked the country and his Socialist party, which hopes to win next year’s election.
As a court official read out the judge’s
decision late on Monday, Socrates’ lawyer, Joao Araujo, told reporters
he considered it “unfair and unjustified” and said he would appeal.
Criminal Judge Carlos Alexandre, who
presides over several separate high-profile investigations, delivered
his decision after a three-day questioning marathon over suspected tax
fraud, corruption and money-laundering.
The detention is the first involving a
former premier in Portugal under democracy and follows other loud cases
this year as prosecutors and judges intensify a fight against corruption
in a country notorious for its slow justice system.
Police arrested Socrates, 57, who was
premier between 2005 and 2011, at Lisbon airport late on Friday as he
arrived from Paris where he has been living after his resignation.
Three other individuals linked to
Socrates were also arrested, including his driver. Citing leaked police
materials, local media said the driver is suspected of having
transported large sums in cash by car from Portugal to Socrates in
Paris.
Some analysts say the charges could upset
the Socialists’ hopes of winning full majority in parliament next year,
if not the likelihood of the party winning the election.
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