LISBON – A Portuguese judge has ordered a former Prime Minister Jose Socrates to be formally held for further investigation on possible tax fraud and money laundering charges.
Judge Carlos Alexandre, the investigative judge, said on Tuesday in Lisbon, that there was enough evidence to hold Socrates in investigative custody on preliminary charges of the wrongdoings.
The 57-year-old politician is the first former head of government to be held in investigative custody.
He said Socrates was detained early Saturday at the Lisbon airport after his return from Paris, and hours has been spent questioning him on Saturday and Sunday.
Alexandre said it would soon be decided whether Socrates, a member of the Socialist party who served as prime minister from 2005 to 2011, would be released or if charges would be formally filed.
Meanwhile, the prosecutor’s office said in a statement, that Socrates was being investigated along with three others, an entrepreneur, a lawyer and Socrates’ former driver.
He said the inquiry was prompted by a series of suspicious bank transfers.
The investigation reports say is a blow to the Socialist party, which was gearing up for the next legislative elections in October 2015. (dpa/NAN)