The controversial poster that associate Luis Montenegro with José Sócrates.
The Lisbon County Judicial Court refused Luís Montenegro’s request for the removal of the posters from the arrival in which the Prime Minister appears alongside José Sócrates associated with the theme of corruption.
André Ventura speaks on a victorious day for freedom of expression.
In March, the arrival set posters that compared Luís Montenegro and José Sócrates, on the theme of corruption.
Following, Luís Montenegro entered the Lisbon Civil Court a precautionary action requiring the immediate withdrawal of the arrival posters and a compensation of 10,000 euros.
But, in the decision, to which Lusa had access, this Friday, the court of the Lisbon District rejected the precautionary action presented by the prime minister for being at stake “the right to freedom of expression”.
The court considers that the posters do not directly associate Luís Montenegro, who is also candidated by AD (PSD/CDS) with legislatures, “practice of any fact that is likely to integrate the crime of corruption”, “it is not claimed to be corrupt”, despite the image “of a former prime minister who, despite being argued in a crime process, benefits from the presumption of innocence”.
“The phrase contained in the posters – 50 YEARS OF CORRUPTION” -followed by” It’s time to say enough “and” vote arrives “, also does not authorize the conclusion that the defendant directly imputes to the applicant to practice any illicit fact, and, of course, none portrayed, by the time of exercise that have political functions, could be responsible for the association that is made of corruption to the years of democracy,” read the decision.
Sumura alongside freedom of expression
Speaking to journalists, this Friday, the Leader of the arrival made a point of talking about it, considering that the decision was a “victory for the arrival and freedom of expression”, and “A defeat for the Prime Minister”.
“I hope that Luís Montenegro will remove from the court from the court also the consequences that freedom has to be to guarantee, the rights have to be to guarantee, and cannot try to silence opponents”He argued, stating that“ Fight against corruption was also safeguarded”.
Montenegro devalues. “We have to respect”
The PSD president devalued the unfavorable decision of the court with the precautionary action he presented against posters that associated him with José Sócrates.
Speaking to journalists in Porto de Mós, Montenegro maintained the thesis that, from his point of view, the action of the arrival, with the dissemination of these posters that associated him with the former socialist Prime Minister, “it was a political action that exorcures freedom of expression and sound divergence of opinion.”
“The court didn’t understand that – and it has to respect,” he said.
