António Pedro Santos / Lusa
The Lisbon Court of Appeal considers that Ricardo Salgado “is not on the level of disability he claims”, but does not issue that the former banker suffers from Alzheimer’s.
Judges Judges of the Lisbon Court of Appeal (TRL) confirmed the Ricardo Salgado’s conviction to six years and three months in prison for having corrupted the former minister (2005-2009), in a total of about 4.9 million euros.
In the judgment, to which Lusa had access, the magistrates invoke the expertise that the former president of Banco Espírito Santo (BES) 80 yearswas targeted in September 2023, to undermine the degree of disability it claims, for suffering from.
“Although it is certain that the defendant suffers [actualmente] of a personal situation of mental illness, generating the need for care at this level, we are also certain that the same is not in the level of disability that claims“They observe the judges judges.
“We will be in the face of a Procedural Strategy Optionlegitimate, which has been taken in its own and dominated by the defendant, even if by advice and exercise of sponsorship of the agent ”, is also pointed out in the judgment of TRL.
The Court thus appreciates the Ricardo Salgado’s defense allegation that it is not able, due to its health, to “fully understand and participate in judgment”, and to “self-make or give indications to its defenders”.
Judges Manuel José Ramos da Fonseca (rapporteur), Rui Poças and Alexandra Veiga add that “no affront to the principle of human dignity” occurred.
Rejected suspended penalty to Ricardo Salgado (but may not go arrested)
There is a conviction, the defense of the former banker also asked that the penalty was, regardless of his duration, which was rejected by the TRL for not being shown in the process that Ricardo Salgado is currently in a state similar to that of an unimputable.
The magistrates warn, however, that, although any prison sentence leads to “suffering to the convict”, there are circumstances that “exponent such a picture to an intolerable level”, and then it is necessary “consider the foundation, proportionality and necessity of execution ”of the penalty in jail.
According to the Penal Code, by norm, only penalties can be suspended up to five years in prison.
Note that Ricardo Salgado cannot appeal the TRL decision, since, according to the law, penalties such as the one applied to him (6 years and 3 months in prison) are not subject to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Court confirms 10 years in prison for Manuel Pinho
TRL also confirmed the CONDEMNATION TO 10 YEARS OF MANUEL PINHO CHAIN And his wife, Alexandra Pinho, four years and eight months of suspended sentence. At issue are crimes of corruption, laundering of capital and tax fraud.
The former minister has already announced that will resort.
The decision of the first instance, issued by the Central Criminal Court of Lisbon, dates from June 2024.
Although executive decisions under suspicion in this process do not involve the case, the case resulted from investigation to the so -called Excessive electric lacewhose accusation was deducted in October 2024 by the Public Prosecution Service, including against Pinho.
Manuel Pinho is in house arrest Since December 2021, while the remaining defendants remain free.
