Appeal court judges grant request by judge to retire from corruption trial

Appeal court judges have granted the request by judge Margarida Ramos Natário to be recused from the trial, involving former economy minister Manuel Pinho and former president of Group Espírito Santo (GES)Ricardo Salgado. Media ‘leaks’ prompted the judge to seek to recuse herself, after it was reported that her ex-husband worked for GES and received money from the same slush fund that is understood to have paid Manuel Pinho.