Estela Silva / Lusa
Operation Obsequium investigates public procurement procedures, active and passive corruption and economic participation in business. “There is evidence of illegal favoritism of a competitor.”
The Public Ministry is today carrying out searches at the premises of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), in an investigation into “security procedures”. public procurement for the supply of personal protective equipment to combat forest fires”.
The searches of Operation Obsequiumled by the Central Department of Investigation and Criminal Action (DCIAP), carry out “6 home search warrants and 4 search warrants for business and public entity facilities, namely ANEPC facilities”, announced the MP in a statement.
Searches also take place in companies and commercial companies in the textile and personal protective equipment sector, in the homes of directors and account technicians of the entities involved and in accounting offices and specialized suppliers.
At issue is the commission of crimes of active and passive corruption and of economic participation in businessin procedures carried out in the period between 2015 and 2023, “because there are signs of illegal favoritism of a competitor in procedures carried out in the period between 2015 and 2023, to the detriment of the Portuguese State”.
In a note sent to newsrooms, ANEPC confirms that investigations were carried out at its facilities in Carnaxide and sends additional information for public clarification, via DCIAP on its official page.
Operation Obsequium, in which the GNR Criminal Investigation Directorate collaborates with the MP, involves 48 soldiers da Guarda and five magistrates from DCIAP. The MP states in the statement that the investigation is subject to judicial secrecy.
ANEPC “is collaborating with the authorities and reiterates its full availability to provide the necessary support within the scope of the ongoing measures”, says the entity.
