Former Portuguese Prime Minister to Stand Trial for Money Laundering

Former Prime Minister Sócrates (Wikimedia Commons)

A Portuguese judge ordered ex-Prime Minister José Sócrates to stand trial for money laundering and falsifying documents on April 9. The court dropped more serious charges of corruption due to the statute of limitations expiring. Despite accusations of taking €34 million, the former Socialist leader continues to deny all claims of wrongdoing.

After serving as the Portuguese Prime Minister from 2005 to 2011, Sócrates was arrested in November 2014 at the Lisbon airport for charges of corruption, tax evasion, and money laundering. He is accused of concealing funds given to him from longtime friend Carlos Santos Silva in an attempt to gain influence over Sócrates, which Sócrates has claimed were loans. Following his arrest, Sócrates spent a year in jail and under house arrest. 

An original 31 charges were brought against Sócrates, but there are now just three counts of money laundering and three of document fraud that will be brought to court. The judge ruled that some of the evidence is ineligible and that the statute of limitations has expired for the misconduct. The prosecution is able to appeal this decision, and a trial date has not been set. Charges were dropped against other individuals who were accused of being within the web of corruption Sócrates was accused to be involved in.

The decision calls into question Portugal’s judicial system, which has been unable to gather sufficient evidence to support their initial charges. The political effects are unclear, as Portuguese voters are increasingly concerned about corruption within the government and have supported parties that claim to be anti-corruption. While in office, Sócrates enacted many left-wing policies, bringing change to Portugal. The most recent developments may push voters toward more right-wing politicians during a time of heightened populism within Europe, giving them a possible path to victory within Portugal.

The trial outcome will influence the Portuguese public’s opinions on corruption in the government. If convicted, trust in the government, the Prime Minister, who was a member of Sócrates’ first government, would likely decrease and threaten the current political stability. Sócrates has continuously emphasized his innocence and the political motivations of the charges brought against him, but the final verdict comes down to the evidence brought against him and the Portuguese judicial system’s ruling.