Operation Marquês. Judge refuses to start trial of the smallest case

The judge overseeing the smallest case of the Operation Marquis has decided not to initiate the trial and to merge it with the main case. Judge Ruben Vieira stated that the connection between the two cases justifies this decision, as both involve the same facts and defendants. The trial was set to begin on October 30, with former Prime Minister José Sócrates and businessman Carlos Santos Silva accused of money laundering. Sócrates welcomed the decision, arguing it prevents the abuse of parallel trials that could harm his defense rights. The main Operation Marquis trial, involving corruption charges, has been ongoing since July 3, 2025, with 21 defendants.