Alarming Findings on Álvaro Sobrinho's Nationality Misuse
The IGFEJ's analysis revealed that the process for Álvaro Sobrinho's loss of nationality was incomplete, compounded by a flawed human error and an inadequate computer system that failed to document the loss of nationality over time.
New Investigation by the Public Prosecutor's Office
On Wednesday, the Procuradoria-Geral da República (PGR) announced an investigation by the Department of Criminal Investigation and Action (DIAP) in Lisbon regarding Sobrinho's alleged misuse of national documents. This follows a complaint from the IRN last Friday.
An official statement from the PGR confirmed that the Public Ministry requested a certificate of the case for further inquiry, which has been approved by a judge.
Criminal Complaint Filed
On November 11, the IRN filed a criminal complaint with the Central Department of Criminal Investigation and Action (DCIAP). The complaint includes allegations of false declarations before a public official, as Sobrinho purportedly claimed Portuguese nationality to renew his documents over the decades. There are also indications that the DCIAP may investigate potential corruption.
In addition to the complaint, Sobrinho's citizen card and passport have been canceled.
Justice Minister's Remarks
Following the emergence of this case, Justice Minister Rita Alarcão Júdice expressed her expectation for a judicial investigation, stating that Sobrinho was aware of his renunciation of citizenship but behaved in a way that warrants scrutiny.
Upcoming Trials
This incident surfaces just as the trial for the BESA case is set to begin, where Sobrinho faces charges for 18 counts of aggravated breach of trust and five counts of money laundering. The accusations were made public in July 2022.
Sobrinho's trial will include other notable figures, such as Ricardo Salgado (former president of BES), who faces five counts of breach of trust and one of qualified fraud, along with other former administrators facing similar charges.
Document Verification Process
In light of this case, the DIC has started verifying documents of citizens who lost their nationality in recent years, discovering at least 37 citizen cards and 23 passports that were improperly active and have since been canceled.
Additionally, the IRN has requested corrections to the computer system and improved communication between agencies.
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