José Sócrates Accuses Portuguese State of Manipulating Justice in Marquês Operation

José Sócrates, the former Prime Minister of Portugal, has taken a bold step by filing a complaint against the Portuguese State at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), alleging manipulation and persecution in the Operation Marquês case. Sócrates claims that his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights were violated, particularly the right to be promptly and thoroughly informed of the charges against him in a language he understands.

Manipulation of the Judicial Process

Sócrates argues that the Portuguese judicial system was manipulated to target him, starting with the alleged falsification in the selection of Judge Carlos Alexandre. He criticizes the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM) for its interference, stating, "Only dictatorships choose judges for specific cases."

The 'Writing Lapse' Controversy

A central point of Sócrates' complaint revolves around a so-called 'writing lapse' that he claims was used to revive the case after it had been effectively closed. He describes this as a 'trick' to manipulate legal deadlines and prolong the proceedings against him unjustly.

Alliance Between Judiciary and Media

Sócrates also denounces an 'alliance between courts and journalism', accusing the media of participating in a 'defamation campaign' based on violations of judicial secrecy. He specifically criticizes former Attorney General Amadeu Guerra for not accepting his innocence, despite a prior court decision in his favor.

International Legal Representation

The legal team representing Sócrates includes lawyers from the firm Jus Cogens, known for defending high-profile clients like Julian Assange and former Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa. They describe the case as a 'political trial', heavily instrumentalized against Sócrates.

Despite the complaint, the Operation Marquês trial is set to proceed as scheduled, with Sócrates facing charges of corruption and other crimes.