Operation Influencer: Galamba believes he will be “innocent” or the case will be archived

Former Infrastructure Minister João Galamba has not yet been heard within the scope of Operation Influencerbut guarantees that either he will emerge innocent or the case will be archived.

“I’m from perfectly clear conscience In relation to everything I did, I know everything I did, I also know everything I didn’t do. I know how this case will end: either with the filing or, if there is an accusation, I will end up being acquitted“, said João Galamba, tonight, in an interview with CNN Portugal.

The former ruler, accused in the Operation Influencer – which would end up causing the fall of the government led by António Costa -, states that has not yet been heard by the Court, despite having presented “a request” to that effect “immediately following the searches” of which he was the targetstill in November.

“Looks like I was listened to for several years, but he was not heard”, said Galamba, who also adds that he has not yet had access to the process. “Everything I know about the process, strictly speaking, I know from the media,” he said.

PGR heard in Parliament? “It doesn’t make any sense”

João Galamba is against the hearing of the Attorney General of the Republic in Assembly of the Republic. Asked whether the PS or another party should move forward with a request to hear Lucília Gago in Parliament, the response was immediate: “I disagree”.

“I do not consider that Mrs.’s trip to Parliament was Attorney General makes any sense”, stressed the former government official, who says, however, that he understands the issue raised by the president of the Assembly of the Republic.

The former minister emphasizes that The Attorney General’s Office “what you should do is do your job”. João Galamba calls, above all, for speedy completion of the investigation of Operation Influencer.

“He is responsible for the criminal action and is in charge of the investigation – that he does it well and, above all, that he does it quickly.”

João Galamba speaks at “suspension” of life of those who were involved by the courts in this case and emphasizes that it must be “resolved”.

“This suspension of people’s lives is a very difficult situation. It should only exist when there is a basis and then it should be resolved as quickly as possible. Right now, that’s the only thing I ask.”

The (non) relationship with Pedro Nuno and the withdrawal from political life

Still questioned about the relationship he maintains with the current leader of the PS, Pedro Nuno Santosthe former minister responds that were once “closer”.

“I’m not close to the general secretary of the Socialist Party at the moment,” he stated.

“He didn’t tell me anything in the last few months, not even on the day of the searches”declared João Galamba, who considers it “normal” for Pedro Nuno Santos to call him after the police “entered his house”.

João Galamba also revealed that, after the searches, informed the PS that he would “step away from political life”, admitting that he felt harmed.

“My current procedural status of suspected crimes in the exercise of my duties is incompatible”, he states, clarifying that he remains away “out of respect for institutions” and “Justice”.