Madureira and Polaco will remain in preventive detention, while Vitor Catao, FC Porto fan and former president of São Pedro da Cova, will remain under house arrest under electronic monitoring, as defended by the Public Ministry (MP).
The Porto Criminal Instructions Court (TIC) decided to keep Fernando Madureira, captain of the FC Porto Super Dragons support team, and Hugo Carneiro, known as “Polaco”, in preventive detention as part of Operation Praetorian.
The order signed by Criminal Investigative Judge (JIC) Felipa Azevedo, dated Tuesday and seen by Lusa on Wednesday, states that “the factual and legal reasons that justified the imposition of sanctions remain unchanged with regard to the coercive measures applied to the accused.” “, exactly three months ago.
In this sense, Madureira and Pulaco will remain in preventive detention, while Vitor Catao, FC Porto fan and former president of São Pedro da Cova, will remain under house arrest under electronic monitoring, as defended by the Public Ministry.
Operation Praetorian is investigating the events that took place at the FC Porto General Assembly, on 13 November 2023, where the MP confirmed that Super Dragões fans intended to “create a climate of intimidation and fear”, so that a legal review could not be approved “in the interest of the ‘blue and white’ leadership”. “Led by Pinto da Costa.
In their request to re-evaluate the coercive measures, the defendants stated that since the date of implementing the coercive measures, that is, three months later, “many of the campaign’s actions and activities took place without any recklessness or quarrel occurring.”
“Whereas, on April 27, elections for the administrative bodies of FC Porto were held, which took place peacefully and calmly, without any recorded incidents, assault, intimidation, pressure or insults from anyone. Therefore, with the electoral period now over, the risks of disturbing public order and peace have been reduced.” greatly social.
However, these arguments did not convince Porto Tech.
“It should be noted that the coercive measures depriving liberty were not based solely on the procedure of the FC Porto electoral law, as the defendants suggest, but rather underlay a wide range of circumstances set out in the injunction applying the coercive measures which include the risks of continued criminal activity,” the JIC explains. And disturbing public order and tranquility and obtaining, preserving or authenticating evidence.
Felipa Azevedo adds, “Even if the passing of the FC Porto electoral law is considered, the reality is that its consequences are still ongoing, with the future transfer of tasks and the transfer of power within the club not yet being fully implemented.”
“It is legitimate to conclude, on the other hand, that the absence of social unrest and sporting incidents such as those that occurred is precisely the result of the coercive regime imposed on the accused in this case. Moreover, the investigation has continued its course, and the risks related to the acquisition, preservation and authenticity of The evidence justifying the application of these measures remains unchanged, and it is also important that additional investigative steps are carried out, freely and without pressure, concluded the TIC judge in Porto.
On January 31 this year, PSP police detained 12 people – including two FC Porto employees and the leader of the Super Dragons, Fernando Madureira – as part of Operation Praetorian, which is investigating incidents that occurred during the club’s Extraordinary General Assembly.
This concerns crimes of harming physical safety in the context of a sporting scene or event related to the sporting phenomenon, coercion and serious threats, public incitement to commit a crime, throwing liquid objects or products, as well as assaulting freedom of information.
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