The Public Prosecutor accused two men, aged 32 and 42, and a company based in Spain of crimes of aiding illegal immigration and recruiting illegal labor, in the municipality of Elvas. The investigation was directed by the Regional Department of Investigation and Criminal Action of Évora, assisted by the Southern Directorate of the Judicial Police.
The two defendants are accused of having brought immigrants from various countries into Portugal, between October 2021 and January 2022, in the area of Elvas, district of Portalegre. According to the MP, the criminal activity had an international character and was organized to bring in and exploit workers from countries such as Algeria and Morocco.
The defendants promoted the entry of foreign citizens in irregular situations, enticing them with promises of work and satisfactory conditions that would allow them to support themselves in Portugal. However, they persuaded the victims to work under the defendants' orders without ever intending to comply with the promises regarding the signing of employment contracts that would allow the regularization of the workers' documentation status.
The activity generated significant sums of money, and the MP promoted the forfeiture of the advantages obtained from the illicit activity in an amount exceeding 324 thousand euros. Following the formal accusation, the deadline for a possible opening of the instruction phase now runs.
