Manuel Moura Machado, the 37-year-old man who fled the Ponte de Sor Court on May 13, handed himself in to the GNR this Tuesday, around two weeks after the escape that mobilized an intense police operation.
The accused appeared accompanied by his lawyer, Aníbal Pinto. It is worth remembering that he was detained on suspicion of the crime of attempted murder and was awaiting his first judicial interrogation when he managed to escape from court.
As explained at the time by the Superior Council of the Judiciary, the escape would have been facilitated by a “diversion maneuver” created inside and outside the building. During the chase, military police fired several shots to try to stop the suspect, but without success.
Days after his escape, Manuel Moura Machado published a video on social media where he said he was “repentant” and assured that he would “soon” surrender to the authorities.
In the same video, he justified his escape with fears related to the safety of his partner, children and other family members, also claiming to have been the target of threats, attacks and prolonged conflicts over the last few years.
“I’m not 100% innocent, but I’m not 100% guilty either,” he said at the time, arguing that other people involved in the case also bear responsibility for the events.
Manuel Machado had been on the run since May 13, after escaping from the Ponte de Sor Court before the court hearing, with the help of around 20 family members.
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— SIC Notícias (@SICNoticias)
