The Public Prosecutor opens an inquiry on the Tancos case

The Public Prosecutor confirmed their “suspicion of the crimes of criminal association, international arm trafficking and international terrorism”. In a press release, the Attorney-general office stated they considered the investigation of the events in the Tancos weapons’ storage should continue within an inquiry to be further investigated by the Portuguese Central Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution (DCIAP).

The entity headed by Joana Marques Vidal explains that investigations started right after the robbery of warfare supplies was announced. After that investigation, the Public Prosecutor considered the case falls within a “broader context”.

“Being discussed are, among others, suspicions of the crimes of criminal association, international arm trafficking and international terrorism“, the Attorney-general office, confirming previous suspicions. The Portuguese newspaper Público stated that terrorism is being rejected as the reason behind the robbery: the suspicion is that those criminals are connected to international arm trafficking.

“Giving the nature and severity of these crimes and the different legal assets being handled, the Public Prosecutor decided the investigation of the Tancos case should move forward within an inquiry to be investigated by the Portuguese Central Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution (DCIAP)“, the Public Prosecutor announced today. This case is also being investigated by the Portuguese Anti Terrorism Unit (UNCT) and the Military Criminal Police. “The inquiry is under investigation secrecy”, the Attorney-general’s office reveals.