Portugal’s judicial police (PJ) on Thursday carried out raids targeting an alleged corruption "network" working within the Socialist Party’s (PS) local government power base.
A source in the PJ confirmed the operation to Euronews and later stated in a press release that five arrests had been made and 37 individuals named as suspects.
"The Judicial Police, through the National Anti-Corruption Unit, is conducting a police operation to execute 60 search warrants for residences and 32 search warrants for non-residential premises in the areas of Lisbon, Mafra, Oeiras, and Coimbra, investigating the crimes of malfeasance and economic participation in business, involving the awarding of various contracts by municipal councils and parish councils," the PJ's statement reads.
"At issue are direct award procedures or prior consultation processes, in clear violation of applicable legal norms and with evident harm to the public treasury," it added.
Those taken into custody are due to appear before the Central Criminal Investigation Court in Lisbon for initial questioning.
