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| Portuguese ex-PM Jose Socrates back in court | Portuguese ex-PM Jose Socrates back in court |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Jose Socrates, Portugal's centre-left prime minister between 2005 and 2011, has been questioned again in court on suspicion of corruption, money laundering and tax fraud. | |
| He was detained on his return from Paris on Friday and has spent three nights in jail. | He was detained on his return from Paris on Friday and has spent three nights in jail. |
| Investigators are looking at suspicious money transfers and banking operations. | Investigators are looking at suspicious money transfers and banking operations. |
| Mr Socrates, 57 is one of four men detained. His driver, a close friend, and a lawyer are also being held. | Mr Socrates, 57 is one of four men detained. His driver, a close friend, and a lawyer are also being held. |
| Portuguese politics was already reeling after the resignation of Interior Minister Miguel Macedo in the wake of a separate corruption inquiry linked to the allocation of residence permits. | Portuguese politics was already reeling after the resignation of Interior Minister Miguel Macedo in the wake of a separate corruption inquiry linked to the allocation of residence permits. |
| Portugal in shock - by Alison Roberts, BBC News, Lisbon | Portugal in shock - by Alison Roberts, BBC News, Lisbon |
| Jose Socrates' detention has sent shockwaves through the political system. Reports purporting to provide details of the investigation - which is covered by judicial secrecy - have swirled since Friday night, when the news broke. They focus on Mr Socrates' supposedly lavish lifestyle in Paris, where he moved after stepping down in 2011. | Jose Socrates' detention has sent shockwaves through the political system. Reports purporting to provide details of the investigation - which is covered by judicial secrecy - have swirled since Friday night, when the news broke. They focus on Mr Socrates' supposedly lavish lifestyle in Paris, where he moved after stepping down in 2011. |
| In past interviews, he has denied anything untoward about his finances. | In past interviews, he has denied anything untoward about his finances. |
| His detention - on arrival at Lisbon airport, rather than at his flat, and with photographers present - prompted some prominent Socialists to argue it was to divert attention from suspicions of corruption in the right-of-centre government's "golden visa" programme, which fast-tracks residence for foreign investors. | His detention - on arrival at Lisbon airport, rather than at his flat, and with photographers present - prompted some prominent Socialists to argue it was to divert attention from suspicions of corruption in the right-of-centre government's "golden visa" programme, which fast-tracks residence for foreign investors. |
| The Socialists' newly elected leader, Antonio Costa, a minister under Mr Socrates, was until now expected to sweep to victory in next year's general election following years of austerity. He is conscious of the perils of the situation. | The Socialists' newly elected leader, Antonio Costa, a minister under Mr Socrates, was until now expected to sweep to victory in next year's general election following years of austerity. He is conscious of the perils of the situation. |
| Because the case surrounding Mr Socrates comes under judicial secrecy, few details have been confirmed. | Because the case surrounding Mr Socrates comes under judicial secrecy, few details have been confirmed. |
| It is unclear whether the inquiry relates to his time in office. However, Portuguese media has reported allegations that his driver Joao Perna made a number of trips transporting cash to Paris, where Mr Socrates has been working in a new role at a pharmaceutical company. | It is unclear whether the inquiry relates to his time in office. However, Portuguese media has reported allegations that his driver Joao Perna made a number of trips transporting cash to Paris, where Mr Socrates has been working in a new role at a pharmaceutical company. |
| One of Mr Socrates' long-time friends, Carlos Santos Silva, is being questioned along with lawyer Goncalo Trindade Ferreira. | One of Mr Socrates' long-time friends, Carlos Santos Silva, is being questioned along with lawyer Goncalo Trindade Ferreira. |
| Investigating magistrate Carlos Alexandre was expected to seek the further detention of all four suspects at Monday's hearing. | Investigating magistrate Carlos Alexandre was expected to seek the further detention of all four suspects at Monday's hearing. |
| Centre-right Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho said the case involved law rather than politics, adding that "Portugal has strong institutions that work". | Centre-right Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho said the case involved law rather than politics, adding that "Portugal has strong institutions that work". |
| But the investigation has rocked Mr Socrates' centre-left Socialists, now led by Lisbon Mayor Antonio Costa who was elected as secretary-general of the party on Saturday. | But the investigation has rocked Mr Socrates' centre-left Socialists, now led by Lisbon Mayor Antonio Costa who was elected as secretary-general of the party on Saturday. |
| Mr Socrates resigned in 2011 in the midst of Portugal's mounting debt crisis. The Socialists are currently leading in opinion polls and Mr Costa said on Saturday that "we mustn't let personal feelings of solidarity and friendship impede the political action of the (party)". | Mr Socrates resigned in 2011 in the midst of Portugal's mounting debt crisis. The Socialists are currently leading in opinion polls and Mr Costa said on Saturday that "we mustn't let personal feelings of solidarity and friendship impede the political action of the (party)". |