Four GNR officers are among eight suspects caught in an operation to combat metal theft.
The investigation was carried out by the Department of Investigation and Prosecution of Lisbon, the Procurator General and the Fiscal Action Unit of the GNR.
According to a statement issued today by the Attorney General's Office, three of the defendants were arrested on the job as they removed scrap metal valued at €761,000 from an industrial site.
According to the investigators, the GNR officers were 'unlawfully exercising their functions' by taking part in the thefts and then helping to sell large quantities of metal to a recycling business.
After initial questioning, the defendants all were indicted for the crimes of 'passive and active corruption, the practice unlawful acts, embezzlement, and qualified theft and forgery.'
The main defendant was held on remand while the remaining GNR officers based at Estarreja near Aveiro were suspended and have to report in every two weeks.
The operation included house searches and searches at the recycling business where 4,500 kg of scrap metal was discovered.
Comments
Maybe insufficient grease to look the other way ....
Just yesterday supposedly elite training soldiers from the Portugals Army School were prosecuted for burglary and assault of prostitutes.
Why does Portugal keep so many of its 'finest' like these OUT of Syria and Iraq fighting their Jihadist cousins ? Put them IN PM Coelho
Although its a bit strange - given Portugal's long history of surveillance, both of themselves and of foreigners - there is some use in having Ana P and 'the others' giving us the Portuguese skew on events.
But why is 'integrity' and 'honour' so distorted here in Portugal ?
Consider an imaginary dishonour - following suitable grease - being dragged through months of stress into the tribunals. No-one in the judicial process having the integrity to denounce it.
And if the alleged dishonoured is important enough a prosecution and fine results. Your lawyer will confirm it happens ...
Surely, as often said, Portugals core problem is that it has not moved on and developed from Salazar's time .... wherein 'lack of integrity was institutionalised'. And maybe is still required at promotion interviews.
Where are the Ministerio Publico's, PJ, GNR, PSP who are known to be straight? Who you can ask for by name in every tribunal or station in the land ?
Get a wrong 'un and your life here - and wallet - is ruined !
Sad.