Judge Carlos Alexandre decided that the former prime minister José Sócrates should remain in Evora prison.
Sócrates would not consent to wearing an electronic bracelet on home arrest so the judge decided he could stay put.
João Araújo, Sócrates’ lawyer said he will "appeal all decisions that jeopardise the freedom of my client," even though this decision was brought about by his client's intransigence.
Carlos Santos Silva, Sócrates’ friend who also is deep in the merde, decided to take the electronic option in late May and now lives in the comfort of his own home while waiting for charges to be levelled against him in Operation Marquês.
The prosecution believes even at this late stage of the investigation that Sócrates still may disrupt the investigation and also that he may escape, although this now is less likely.
The former socialist leader has been in Evora prison since last November after his arrest at Lisbon airport.
The investigation concerns corruption, tax fraud and money laundering.
Comments
portugaise.... and indeed that is something we -coming from other european civilised countries - does not quite well understand. On the other hand we don't have to try to understand - as that will never succeed ... precisely because this is "a typical portugese matter".
http://www.expatfocus.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=40611/start=56/
Or, is it far more likely to be just a kind of 'show trial' to indicate to Brussels that finally Portugal is at last getting 'quite' serious about corruption. But which will just ruffle a few feathers, as it is doing now- and safely leave the main players in the shadows. To continue their corruption. And Socrates keeps his millions - with which to wipe this temporary egg off his face.
As so often the daily newspapers are claiming to have exclusives on who said what or is doing what in the investigation.
Which then gets endlessly churned about on TV. Further, but usefully, distorting the reality.