Luís Rufo faces conviction for illegal law practice in Braga

The Public Ministry has requested the conviction of Luís Rufo, an individual accused of illegally practicing law in Braga, Portugal, for three decades. Rufo is facing charges of 141 counts of usurpation of functions.

Prosecutors allege that Rufo deceived the Universidade Portucalense to obtain a law degree by presenting forged certificates from the University of Coimbra and the Universidade Livre. The prosecution claims these actions allowed him to mislead the Ordem dos Advogados and obtain a professional license he was not legally entitled to hold.

During the trial at the Tribunal de Braga, Rufo denied the allegations, maintaining that he completed his degree and never falsified any documents. His defense counsel, Artur Marques, argued for acquittal, stating that Rufo acted based on a valid professional title issued by the Ordem dos Advogados and that there is no legal basis for a conviction of usurpation of functions.