Africa-Press – Angola. The contradictory instruction in the criminal case that opposes the Public Ministry (MP) to the former director of the National Reconstruction Office (GRN), Manuel Hélder Vieira Dias, which began at the Supreme Court, in Luanda, continues on Wednesday, with the instructional debate.
The investigative debate consists of diligence with the intervention of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, defendant and assistant, which aims to allow a discussion before the judge about the existence of sufficient evidence to submit, or not, the defendant to trial.
This Tuesday, the first day of the hearing that takes place behind closed doors, in the TS trial room, five preliminary questions were presented and the witnesses listed by the defendant in the case, under number 004/23, Fernando Gomes dos Santos, were heard.
Upon leaving the meeting, João do Amaral Gourgel, defense lawyer for the two defendants mentioned above, did not speak to journalists.
However, the press learned that the failure to hear a witness listed by the former director of the GRN is allegedly due to the fact that the person present in this condition is linked to one of the incorporated companies accused in the same case.
In turn, Benja Satula, lawyer for the companies Plasmart Internacional Limited and Utter Right Internacional Limited, also accused in the case, confirmed to the press, at the end of the session, that the indictment of his constituents included the practice of crimes of fraud by defrauding, falsifying documents and influence peddling.
Regarding his position regarding the previous questions raised, as well as what the judge decided in this regard, the lawyer avoided commenting, claiming that the process was still under judicial secrecy.
However, Benja Satula was optimistic about a favorable outcome for her constituents.
If there is justice, everything will go very well. If the contradictory instruction plays its true role, we are hopeful that everything will go well, in my favor, for the companies I represent, he said.
Manuel Hélder Vieira Dias, also, former Minister of State and head of the Military House of the then President of the Republic, José Eduardo dos Santos, is accused of the crimes of embezzlement, fraud by defrauding, falsification of documents, influence peddling, criminal association and abuse of power, in the process registered under number 004/23, in which the Public Prosecutor’s Office is a participant.
The same case also includes defendants Fernando Gomes dos Santos, accused of the crimes of fraud by defrauding, falsifying documents, influence peddling, criminal association and money laundering, as well as the companies Plasmart Internacional Limited and Utter Right Internacional Limited, accused of fraud. for fraud, falsification of documents, influence peddling and money laundering.
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