PGR clarified that Costa’s investigation began on October 17

The Public Prosecution Service (PGR) made it clear this Friday that the start of the investigation against António Costa dates from October 17, 2023.

The PGR indicates that on the date the note was sent to the media, on November 7, “the investigation mentioned in the last paragraph had already been initiated in the Supreme Court”.

“Such an introduction, which the Public Prosecution Service is obliged to do by legal imposition when it obtains news about the possible commission of criminally relevant facts, dates from October 17, 2023 and under this circumstance was the result of the attribution by the Codex of Criminal Procedure of forum especially for the Prime Minister,” according to the addition sent to the newsrooms this Friday.

The PGR indicates that “the connection between the facts underlying the two investigations justifies and requires that the investigation of both take place in conjunction”, without prejudice to the autonomy that has taken place.

The note sent this Friday states that “the steps involved in the operation carried out this week and the evidence collected in its framework, including the documentary and digital collection, require a thorough analysis”, but the PGR assures that “the investigation will continue with due care and speed, with the aim of its conclusion in the shortest possible time”.

The Prime Minister, António Costa, asked the President of the Republic for his resignation on Tuesday, who accepted it, after the Public Prosecution Service revealed that he is the target of an independent investigation by the Supreme Court into lithium and hydrogen projects.

This decision follows an operation on lithium and green hydrogen companies, coordinated by DCIAP and supported by the Public Security Police (PSP) and the Tax Authorities (AT).

As part of this operation, the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Vítor Escária, the lawyer Lacerda Machado, the mayor of Sines, Nuno Mascarenhas and the two directors of the company Start Campus, Afonso Salema and Rui Oliveira Neves, were arrested.

The MP also named Minister João Galamba and the chairman of the APA board of directors, Nuno Lacasta, as suspects.

According to the Public Prosecution Service (PGR), this involves crimes, active and passive corruption of political office holders and the exercise of influence.

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