Seven names are mentioned in the case that is causing this political crisis. Five were arrested and there are two suspects. At the request of DN, the Public Prosecution Service will not say for the time being whether the list of those involved can be expanded.
Vítor Escária: The Chief of Staff who owns the troika
Vítor Escária, economist, had already worked with António Costa in previous governments (in 2016 he was economic advisor). Between 2005 and 2011 he was the main economic advisor to José Sócrates. He was recently arrested by GalpGate, removed and paid a fine.
Diogo Lacerda Machado: Negotiator friend of Costa
The lawyer is another trusted man of António Costa. And your old friend. He was linked to the TAP file, which led the government to reach an agreement with David Neeleman and Humberto Pedrosa. He also intervened with those injured by BES. He is referred to as the lawyer and advisor who works for Start Campus.
Nuno Mascarenhas: The economist
He arrived at Sinian Municipality in 1998 as a PS councilor. In 2013 he won the elections and became president. He was part of the group responsible for the expansion of the port of Sines, where the government wants to build a ‘key axis’ for green hydrogen. He has now been arrested as part of this process.
João Galamba: Lithium after rejected dismissal
He was a weakened minister since the controversy with his former deputy and his resignation – which was vetoed by António Costa. Now he has been named a defendant for his alleged role in the concessions granted for lithium exploration in Boticas and Montalegre, during the time he was Secretary of State for Energy (where he was until he became Minister of Infrastructure). .
Nuno Lacasta: President of the Portuguese Environment Agency
He is a graduate of Lisbon Law School and holds a master’s degree from American University’s Washington College of Law. Since 2012, he has been President of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA). He is the second accused, after João Galamba.
Start Campus Administrators: an industrial engineer and a lawyer
Two administrators of the company Start Campus, responsible for installing a data center in the industrial and logistics zone of Sines, were also arrested. They are Afonso Salema (industrial engineer) and Rui de Oliveira Nunes (lawyer). In the case of the engineer, before leading the company, he had various experiences in the field of renewable energy and infrastructure. He worked at EDP between 2009 and 2011. The lawyer is legal and sustainability director at the company and will continue to work at Morais Leitão. He worked at Galp between 2013 and 2021.
Source: DN
