José Sócrates stated on Tuesday, upon entering the court, that he does not trust the court-appointed lawyer Luís Carlos Esteves, who was appointed to defend him in the Operation Marquês case. The former prime minister also criticized Judge Susana Seca for her position, after she rejected Sócrates' request aimed at removing all actions taken by the court-appointed defender. According to Sócrates, the lawyer agreed to proceed without preparing the defense, did not read the case and did not ask the questions he should have asked.
The trial of Operation Marquês continues with José Sócrates charged with 22 crimes, including three of corruption, for allegedly receiving money through front men to benefit the Lena group, the Espírito Santo Group and the Vale do Lobo development in the Algarve. Carlos Santos Silva, a friend and prominent businessman of the former prime minister, is also on trial, accused of 23 crimes.
The case has 21 defendants who collectively face 117 economic-financial crimes. Among the defendants are also Joaquim Barroca, former administrator of the Lena Group construction company, José Pinto de Sousa, Sócrates' cousin, Hélder Bataglia, Sofia Fava, Sócrates' ex-wife, Zeinal Bava, Henrique Granadeiro and Ricardo Salgado.
The Public Prosecutor is claiming a total of 58 million euros from the defendants, having already seized several assets. According to the indictment, Sócrates is alleged to have caused approximately 21 million euros in damage to the State, Zeinal Bava approximately 16 million, Henrique Granadeiro approximately 14 million, Carlos Santos Silva three million and 300 thousand euros, Ricardo Salgado three million euros and Armando Vara 1.4
