As a subscriber, you enjoy free access to all Observer articles.
The Judiciary Police (PJ) has initiated disciplinary action against an inspector who confessed in court to signing a report related to the Football Leaks investigation without reviewing its contents. This revelation came during the 35th session of the Rui Pinto trial, where Carlos Cabreiro, head of the PJ’s Cybercrime Combat Unit (UNC3T), testified. “This is an unprecedented situation,” he stated, emphasizing the gravity of the incident.
“The national director of the PJ was deeply concerned. He proactively informed me about launching a disciplinary inquiry,” Cabreiro testified in court.
Interestingly, Carlos Cabreiro was not originally listed as a defense witness. He was added to the witness roster on Wednesday by aníbal Pinto’s defense attorney, who requested his testimony for Thursday’s session. During questioning, Cabreiro criticized the inspector’s “unprofessional conduct” and expressed confusion over the inspector’s decision to sign a document without reading it.
“In my 26 years of service, I’ve drafted countless reports, but I’ve never encountered such behavior,” he remarked.
Cabreiro also recounted how he personally briefed Inspector Aida Freitas when she was summoned as a witness, a standard procedure for PJ members involved in high-profile cases like Football Leaks. “Inspectors must be fully prepared for court appearances. With thousands of cases to manage, it’s easy to forget details,” he explained. Though, Cabreiro clarified that during their conversation, Freitas never disclosed that she had signed the report without reading it. Instead, she indicated that “if she encountered any uncertainties, she would refer to the signed document.”
Football Leaks: PJ inspector Admits to Signing Report Without Review. “If You’re in the Anti-Corruption Unit, You Should read It.”
Inspector aida Freitas, currently under investigation by the Public Ministry, was covertly present at a meeting held at a service station along the A5 highway. The gathering involved representatives from Doyen and Aníbal Pinto, who was Rui Pinto’s legal counsel at the time. The purpose of the meeting was allegedly to negotiate a financial settlement in exchange for withholding sensitive documents about Doyen that Rui Pinto,the alleged hacker,reportedly possessed. This encounter later became a pivotal piece of evidence in the case against Aníbal Pinto and Rui Pinto, accusing them of attempted extortion. During court proceedings, Aida Freitas admitted she had not overheard any part of the discussion and had signed the External Diligence Report (RDE) without reviewing its contents.“I didn’t read what I signed. I must be completely honest and obvious. I wasn’t close enough to hear anything,” she confessed.
Football Leaks: DIAP Launches Investigation into PJ inspector Who Signed (Without Reading) Report on rui Pinto Case
The trial is set to resume next Wednesday with the testimony of Jake Hockley,the former head of Doyen’s IT department. On Thursday, the defense witnesses for Rui Pinto will begin their testimonies, starting with Francisco Louçã, the former coordinator of Bloco de Esquerda.
Rui Pinto, the primary defendant, faces charges for 90 criminal offenses, all tied to unauthorized access to computer systems and email accounts of individuals associated with Sporting, Doyen, the PLMJ law firm, the Portuguese Football Federation, the Portuguese Bar Association, and the PGR. Among the targeted individuals are Jorge Jesus, Bruno de Carvalho, former DCIAP director Amadeu Guerra, and lawyer José Miguel Júdice. The charges include 68 counts of unauthorized access,14 counts of correspondence violation,six counts of illegitimate access,and additional charges for computer sabotage against Sporting’s SAD and attempted extortion of the Doyen investment fund.
Aníbal Pinto, Rui Pinto’s lawyer during the alleged crimes, is implicated in the attempted extortion charge for acting as an intermediary in the purported scheme to extort money from Doyen.This is why both individuals now sit side by side before the panel of judges.
Rui Pinto: The Tech-Savvy Teen Who Became the Mastermind Behind Football Leaks
Known as the “spiky-haired kid” who once infiltrated school computers before becoming the infamous “John” of Football Leaks, Rui Pinto has been a central figure in a high-profile legal saga. As March 22, 2019, he has been held in preventive detention, only to be transferred to house arrest on April 8 of this year, residing in a property secured by the Polícia Judiciária (PJ).
In a critically important turn of events, Judge Margarida Alves, who heads the judicial panel overseeing Pinto’s case, granted his release following a formal request from his defense team. Assisting Judge Alves are Ana Paula Conceição and Pedro Lucas, who have been instrumental in the proceedings. After departing from PJ custody in early August, Pinto’s current whereabouts remain undisclosed, adding an air of mystery to his ongoing legal battle.
This case has drawn widespread attention, not only for its implications on cybersecurity but also for the ethical debates surrounding whistleblowing and digital activism. As the story continues to unfold, the public remains eager for updates on Pinto’s situation and the broader ramifications of his actions.
