LISBON, Portugal (AP) — The Lisbon public prosecutor’s office wants 13 reporters and editors from three Portuguese media organizations to stand trial on charges of flouting reporting restrictions around a police investigation into a former prime minister.
The prosecutor’s office said in a statement Thursday it has evidence indicating the journalists published confidential details from the investigation into Jose Socrates. The former Socialist leader was arrested in 2014 on suspicion of corruption, money-laundering and tax fraud in an ongoing case that has drawn huge public interest.
In Portugal, a judicial secrecy law forbids publication of information about open investigations.
Under Portuguese law, a magistrate will review the public prosecutor’s evidence and decide if a trial should be held. The suspects, who were not identified, can argue against a trial.