Rodrigo Antunes / LUSA
José Sócrates leaving the Justice Campus
The former prime minister claims that the president is not neutral in the appointment of the unofficial lawyer because he went to see a satirical play about Socrates.
The Administrative Court agreed to analyze the request presented by José Sócrates to suspend the appointment of lawyer Luís Estevesappointed by the Bar Association to ensure the defense of the former prime minister within the scope of the Operation Marquis process. Until there is a court decision, the appointment will be suspended as soon as the OAB is formally notified.
Despite the challenge presented by Sócrates, Luís Esteves continues, for now, to represent the former ruler. However, suspension may prevent the lawyer from continuing in the process during the period of consideration of the case by the administrative court.
In the request submitted to the Court, consulted by , José Sócrates contests the legality of the choice made by the Bar Association and accuses the president of having acted in a “personal and arbitrary” way. The former prime minister considers this to be an “aberrant act” and speaks of “appointment by direct agreement”, also pointing out alleged contradictory dates and the possible lack of minutes of the meeting in which the decision would have been taken.
Sócrates’ defense also maintains that the Bar Association did not demonstrate impartiality in the appointment process. The former prime minister attached to the request a photograph of the president in audience of the musical show “Mr. Engenheiro”which is a social satire inspired by José Sócrates. In the image, the president appears sitting in the first row, on a date close to the appointment of the dative lawyer.
According to José Sócrates, this public presence constitutes a indication of “position of enmity”calling into question the neutrality of the Bar Association in choosing the defender.
The controversy surrounding Sócrates’ legal representation intensified following the departure of his longtime lawyer, in a rupture marked by criticism of the court. Since then, including José Preto, Sara Leitão Moreira and other lawyers appointed unofficially, without any of them remaining stable in the defense of the former head of Government.
The Bar Association now has a period of 10 days to file a response to the suspension request. Only after this response and the court’s assessment will a definitive decision be made on whether to maintain or cancel Luís Esteves’ appointment.
