Twenty-four Portuguese nationals, including two born in China, are on Interpol’s most wanted list, reports Jornal de Notícias. The majority of cases are related to drug trafficking, but there are also men and women wanted for suspected murders and “economic crimes”. Among the “gallery” is former politician Duarte Lima – currently appealing against a 10-year conviction for fraud – but wanted in Brazil for suspected involvement in a murder.
Lima, who has yet to serve the jail time imposed last year by a Portuguese court for his role in the BPN financial debacle, has said publicly that he will not be returning to face charges in Brazil, although he would accept to the case being heard in Portugal.
Meantime, other Portuguese among the world’s most wanted are former vice-consul to Portugal in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Adelino Pinto, who has been on the run since 2011, wanted by authorities on suspicion of fraud and theft. Bizarrely, Pinto was caught on film at a party in Lisbon last year “congratulating” mayor Antonio Costa on his appointment as leader of the Socialist party.
The Chinese on the list, a man and a woman, are both wanted by the judicial authorities of Macau.
