Portugal's Prosecutor Order to Destroy Seized Chemicals Not Carried Out

The Portuguese Public Prosecutor's Office issued an order to destroy 62 barrels of chemicals seized from a company linked to Luis Neves in December 2024, but the order was never executed. The barrels were transferred to the firm of João Carvalho, a contractor and friend of the interior minister, despite the prosecutor’s directive. Former national deputy director of the Prosecutor's Office, Luísa Proença, said she had never been informed about the movement of the seized material and only learned of it from television reporting.

The report also highlighted broader concerns about government oversight, noting that millions of euros allocated for defence under the EU’s Security Action Instrument lack effective monitoring by the Court of Auditors and the Attorney General’s Office. Additional controversies cited include large public spending on storm relief and a surge in purchases of erectile‑dysfunction medication.