← Back to diffwire

Socrates' trial suspended again as defense lawyer resigns once more

10 articles | Updated 5d ago | Created 5d ago
PORTUGAL TRANSLATED
Story image

The hearing for the former Prime Minister José Sócrates has been halted yet a third time after his appointed public defender, Marco António Amaro, formally requested to withdraw from representing him on March 10th following another plea of recusal filed with Lisbon's Bar Association; this marks only Socrates' fourth assignment as an official lawyer since February.

  1. 1
    José Sócrates remains without legal representation in the Operation Marés case after his appointed public defender, Marco António Amaro, resigned.
  2. 2
    The resignation of lawyer Marco António Amaro has led to another suspension of court sessions for a period not exceeding twenty days pending new counsel selection.
[Mar 10] Marco António Amaro submitted an apology request and resigned as public defender, causing the trial in Operation Marés to be suspended again after previously having resumed sessions scheduled for Monday morning.
[Mar 10] Marco António Amaro, who was the fourth public defender assigned to José Sócrates after Sara Leitaño Moreira resigned in February, requested and received permission from the Order of Lawyers.
[Mar 10] Marco António Amaro had previously been appointed by the Ordem dos Advogados on Feb.27 after consulting with his client and requested to withdraw from defending José Sócrates before even beginning.