The “Influencer Universe”, the designation attributed by the Public Ministry to this investigation, an urgent process was declared seven years ago, in 2019. The information was reported by an official source from the Attorney General’s Office (PGR), in response to DN. “The process was declared urgent in June 2019 (that is, right at its beginning), a declaration of urgency that still remains today.”
The same question had been asked by the newspaper to the PGR on Tuesday, but there was a refusal to respond on this topic. In the clarification sent to the newspaper this Friday, November 14, the PGR adds that “the urgent nature of the processes only means that the regime provided for in article 103, no. 2, of the Criminal Procedure Code applies to them, which determines that procedural acts be carried out during judicial holidays, without suspending deadlines. Which, in this case, has happened.”
The Attorney General’s Office also adds that, “Furthermore, in the so-called Influencer Universe, there is not, and never has been, any investigation stopped. Although access to all electronic evidence is essential – which, as explained, is not yet possible – all investigations have been in continuous activity.”
The same statement, stating that “there is not, and never has been, any stopped investigation”, was released in a statement from the Central Department of Investigation and Criminal Action (DCIAP). The text, organized into four points, aims to clarify “following news made public in recent days”.
Three inquiries
According to the statement, Universo Influencer is in charge of “a mixed team, directed by the attorneys who are part of it”. Three investigations were initially combined into a single investigation, which was only separated “after the searches of 11/07/2023”, which involved the then Prime Minister António Costa.
According to the DCIAP, “based on the initial materiality, three investigations then continue”, one of which is “related to the construction project of a data center developed in the Industrial and Logistics Zone of Sines by the company Start Campus”. The second focuses on “matters relating to lithium exploration concessions in the Romano (Montalegre) and Barroso (Boticas) mines”. The third refers to “facts relating to the project for a hydrogen energy production plant in Sines”.
Negative to António Costa’s consultation
The Public Ministry clarifies that, after the resignation of the then Prime Minister António Costa and as part of the processing of the case, judicial secrecy was declared on April 17, 2024, with the respective judicial validation. That’s the reason why it was “the request for consultation of the records, presented by António Costa, was rejected on the date of distribution of the investigation in the DCIAP, with the applicant having been notified of the Public Prosecutor’s decision”.
The MP also emphasizes that judicial secrecy remains in force. “This investigation remains subject to judicial secrecy, internal and external, and is therefore not subject to consultation.”
“Continuous activity”
In the statement, DCIAP reinforces that “there is not, nor has there ever been, any investigation stopped” in the Influencer Universe and that “they have all been in continuous activity”. It also highlights that there are different phases of investigation, “there are segments that are already quite advanced”.
However, he explains that “there are still segments of evidence that are not accessible to investigation, due to compliance with procedural requirements and/or the exercise of defense rights by those concerned – right to appeal and complaint –, particularly with regard to lawyers’ emails”. The statement ends with a reference to the urgent nature of the process, which has been ongoing for seven years.
amanda.lima@dn.pt