‘Blue Bag’ at the embassy in Angola
The Attorney General’s Office has opened a criminal investigation and the Court of Auditors is investigating any financial responsibilities. Diplomats João Caetano da Silva and Pedro Pessoa and Costa have been considered guilty in disciplinary proceedings.
One case, two investigations: the Attorney General’s Office has opened an inquiry to investigate criminal responsibilities and at the Court of Auditors, a process of investigating financial responsibilities in the management of the Portuguese Embassy in Angola by two former inmates in Luanda, between 2015 and 2022. of foreign affairs as a «Parallel Accounting»: The use by diplomats João Caetano da Silva and Pedro Pessoa and Costa de thousands of euros obtained with the illicit rental of the Embassy building to AICEP delegates – Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade of Portugal, but also to interns, to pay personal expenses and representation of the State on the sidelines of accounting rules.
The existence of this ‘Blue Bag’ was denounced by the current Ambassador of Portugal in Luanda, Francisco Alegre Duarte, who, upon arriving in Angola, was confronted with the illegal situation that had been extended for years. Alegre Duarte then requested an inspection to the embassy accounts. The investigation listened to numerous officials of the diplomatic representation, current and former Dimplomats in Luanda as well as AICEP delegates, who confirmed that the practice came, at least since 2012, when the embassy was led by João da Câmara, who died in 2023.
Read the full article in the printed edition of Sol Nascer, this Friday at newsstands
