Carlos Santos Silva is staying under house arrest, according to today’s decision from the Central Court of Criminal Investigation.
Silva is the childhood friend of José Sócrates and both are held as part of ‘Operation Marquês’ which is investigating them and others for qualified tax fraud, money laundering and accepting bribes.
Unlike the former Prime Minister who has chosen to stay in prison in a bizarre attempt to look innocent, Carlos Santos Silva has been at home since May but unable to leave.
The prosecution today was notified of the court decision which specified the "maintenance of coercive measures against the accused Carlos Santos Silva" adding that Silva will still be subject to the obligation to remain in his house, to wear an electronic ankle bracelet, and is not allowed to contact anyone – especially anyone related to the case.
The others accused but not yet charged include Joaquim Barocca, Sócrates’ old driver João Perna, the pharmaceutical boss from Octapharma Paulo Lalanda de Castro, Carlos Santos Silva’s ex-wife Ines Rosario, the lawyer Gonçalo Trindade Ferreira, the president of the company which manages Vale do Lobo - Diogo Gaspar Ferreira, and the former Minister Armando Vara.
With powerful names such as these soon to be in the dock, the state prosecutor had better have a well planned and detailed case against having had since last November to pull all the strands together.
Sócrates said earlier this week that he was being held in jail 'for political reasons' but it is not certain how his continued incarceration can do any more damage to the socialist party which has suffered from Sócrates' millionaire playboy image ever since he skipped off to Paris to improve his personal knowledge of the capital's finer restaurants.
Comments
So the blindingly obvious gain to a friend or relatives bank account made from dodgy dealing by the lead suspect .... is entirely safe. As long as the friend or relative keeps silent as here Silva does.
And the -
obligation to remain in his house, to wear an electronic ankle bracelet, and is not allowed to contact anyone ...come on people !
This is a Portuguese multi-millionaire with many years of close contacts at the highest level through Socrates. At the heart of the the inner state.
For instance - in a similar situation is Ricardo Salgardo the BES banker. Being even wealthier and more important he gets a police guard. As we keep getting told Salgardo is entirely free to go as often as he likes to the Family Chapel on his estate.
Into which a trail of 'others' has been seen going. Regularly.
To keep wheels turning there are a thousand ways this guy Silva could be getting round this 'house arrest' - with or without official collusion. Maybe getting time out to visit elderly relatives? Going to chapel like Salgardo as he has found God ? Maybe has wifi installed ...