The trial of the former president of the private bank BES (Banco Espirito Santo), Ricardo Salgado, one of the most influential Portuguese businessmen of recent decades, has begun. There were 17 people on the stand in the “trial of the century”.
According to the prosecutor's office, the defendants allegedly committed over 300 crimes, including managing a criminal organization, laundering money, forging documents and intentionally disinforming bank customers.
The “trial of the century” regarding fraud and bankruptcy of BES bank has started
The lawyers of Salgado, who was first arrested in connection with fraud in 2014 and placed under temporary arrest, tried to prevent the businessman from being tried by claiming that he has been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for several years.
Salgado appeared in court on Tuesday, but did not make any declarations.
The commencement of the trial was preceded by a demonstration of people injured by Salgado and people from his close circle who made decisions regarding BES's policy before the bank announced its bankruptcy in 2014. The number of people injured exceeds 1,000 people, of whom 104 died before the inauguration of the trial.
Ricardo Salgado has had a strong impact on public and economic life for over 30 years Portugal. In companies related to BES, he employed, among others: former ministers, and also influenced important political decisions. He employed famous celebrities in the advertising campaigns of his companies. One of the faces of BES was the captain of the Portuguese national football team Cristiano Ronaldo.
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