Last week, a source close to the daughter of ex-President José Eduardo dos Santos, considered it “unjustified” to issue an international arrest warrant against the businesswoman, guaranteeing that there has been “absolute availability” of Isabel dos Santos to remain in contact with the courts.
Commenting on these statements, a PGR source considered that it might not be necessary to issue a warrant, but stressed that the hearing of the accused is essential to exercise the adversary and defend himself against the charges.
“If you are willing to collaborate with the justice, there may not be an arrest warrant issued, but that collaboration goes through a face-to-face hearing that can be held in Portugal or another country where you are,” he said, explaining that this hearing may be requested through a letter rogatory.
The Angolan authorities notified Isabel dos Santos in Luanda, but the businesswoman “if she is away, she can perfectly ask to be heard in another state with which there is judicial cooperation”, she reinforced.
Regarding the process, he did not want to give any details because he is still in the investigation phase and “investigative steps” are ongoing, keeping the secret of justice.
Isabel dos Santos is targeted, in Angola, in criminal and civil cases in which the Angolan State claims more than five billion dollars (4.4 billion euros).
The criminal proceeding stemmed from a complaint by his successor at the head of state oil company Sonangol, Carlos Saturnino, regarding allegedly irregular money transfers during the administration of Isabel dos Santos.
In addition to the daughter of the former Angolan President, Sarju Raikundalia, former financial director of Sonangol, Mário Leite da Silva, manager of Isabel dos Santos and chairman of the BFA Board of Directors, Paula Oliveira, friend of Isabel dos Santos and administrator are also defendants NOS, and Nuno Ribeiro da Cunha, Isabel dos Santos account manager at EuroBic, who died last January.
The businesswoman also saw her bank accounts and shareholdings being forfeited in Portugal and Angola.
Isabel dos Santos has always affirmed her innocence, accusing the Angolan justice of forging evidence, and says she is a victim of political persecution.
In January, the International Investigative Journalism Consortium also revealed more than 715 thousand files, under the name ‘Luanda Leaks’, detailing alleged financial schemes by Isabel dos Santos and her husband, which will have allowed them to withdraw money from the Angolan public purse. through tax havens.
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