The Union of Judicial Employees expressed “vehement repudiation” of the accusations made by José Preto, José Sócrates’ lawyer, who suggested that employees – “in particular, the class of Judicial Officers” – would have disclosed to the media the information that he had taken on the defense of the former prime minister.
The statements are contained in an application submitted in the process Operation Marquis and were made public in the Jornal da Noite da SIC on the night of last Friday, November 28th. In the document, José Preto insinuated that it was judicial officials who revealed the internal communication.
The union considers that this suggestion ignores an essential fact: “The process is public and has several journalists as assistants”who, like the other participants, automatically receive notifications of the acts carried out, including the request presented by the lawyer himself.
In the reaction sent to the press, the union classifies the insinuations as “manifestly unfounded, insulting and inappropriate”, reading in them an “incomprehensible nervousness” on the part of José Preto. When referring to “indecent practices”, “abuses of functions” and even a possible “indictment deal”the lawyer ends up imputing employees’ behavior “false and highly offensive”.
The union structure insists that access to the application was simultaneous for all procedural participants: Public Prosecutor’s and judicial magistrates, the 22 defendants and their respective agents, as well as around a dozen assistants. Therefore, “it does not make any sense, nor does it have the slightest foundation” assign responsibilities to judicial officials.
The statement emphasizes that lawyers are also bound by the duty of civility provided for in article 95 of the Statute of the Bar Association: to act with respect and use appropriate language towards all parties involved, including court officials. José Preto’s accusations “flarely violate this professional duty”says the union.
The structure also announces that it will file a complaint with the Bar Association and proceed with criminal prosecution, considering that defamatory statements aimed at the entire class are at stake.. “Justice must be treated with truth and seriousness. Judicial officials deserve respect!”concludes the statement.