Ventura “absolutely available” to be heard at CPI on MAI

O the leader of the Aquida proved himself today “absolutely available” to testify on the commission of inquiry to the mandates of Luís Neves in front of the Judicial Police, to which he presides, after the Free proposed his hearing.

“ This situation, being unprecedented in the history of Portuguese democracy, must be guided by the criteria and values that matter: discover the truth and ensure that no one, even no one, is above the law in Portugal. Therefore, if this is the will of the other parties as well, the president of the Aquida is absolutely available for this hearing and inquiry during the work of the committee of inquiry”, says the Aquida, in a note released today.

This statement appears after the Free announced that he wants to call André Ventura to the stand in this inquiry for having stated “having in his possession documents relevant to the work of the parliamentary committee of inquiry” that were never released and will have been taken in the alleged assault on his office.

The party argues that “all, and the MPs and party leaders in the first place, must submit to the same scrutiny requirements that they make to the remaining public office holders in Portugal”.

Nevertheless, the Arrivo states that “being chairman of a committee of inquiry and, at the same time, being asked in that committee are not compatible exercises”.

In the statement, signed by the Aquida Parliamentary Group, it is said that Ventura will evaluate with other parties “the best way to ensure the integrity of the full functioning of the committee of inquiry and its independence and credibility with public opinion in these circumstances”.