Benfica president charged in corruption probe - source

Jan 30, 2018

The anti-corruption unit of Portugal's national police said it had carried out some 30 searches as it investigates "corruption, obtaining undue advantage, laundering of capital, influence peddling and aggravated tax fraud"

PIC: Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira has been charged with corruption. (AFP)

PORTUGAL - Portuguese investigators charged Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira with influence peddling on Tuesday as they widen a corruption enquiry, an informed source told AFP.

Portugal's most popular club, who won back-to-back European Cups in the early 1960s, confirmed police had searched its premises while adding the club itself was not being targeted by the investigation.

"Benfica confirms the carrying out of searches in connection with an investigation which does not target" the club said in a statement shortly before news emerged of the charges against Vieira.

The anti-corruption unit of Portugal's national police said it had carried out some 30 searches as it investigates "corruption, obtaining undue advantage, laundering of capital, influence peddling and aggravated tax fraud".

The Lusa news agency quoted an informed source as saying Vieira's residence had also been searched.

Police added four men and a woman had been arrested, including two lawyers, but did not name them as it pursued "Operation Lex".

AFP

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