Portuguese prosecutors search Judiciary Police unit over Football Leaks wiretap claims

Prosecution searches Judiciary Police technical unit

On 23 September 2026, Portugal's Public Prosecution Service conducted searches at the Technological Prevention and Support Unit (UPAT) of the Judiciary Police (PJ) in Loures. The operation, carried out with operational assistance from the National Republican Guard (GNR), focuses on records related to an inquiry into PJ National Director Carlos Cabreiro for suspected perjury and abuse of power. The searches took place at the police facility based at the Judiciary Police School. The Attorney General's Office confirmed the action, explaining that prosecutors are gathering evidence regarding claims made in a recent criminal complaint.

The search and seizure actions underway aim to collect evidence tending to confirm or inform the facts contained in the complaint that gave rise to the inquiry.

The prosecutor's office stated that no formal defendants have been named in the investigation. In a statement, the Judiciary Police confirmed that it cooperated with judicial authorities throughout the searches, providing full support for the proceedings.

Football Leaks surveillance and disputed recordings

The criminal inquiry originates from the investigation into Football Leaks, which resulted in convictions for hacker Rui Pinto and his former defence attorney, Aníbal Pinto. The controversy centres on an operation on 21 October 2015 at a petrol station service area on the A5 motorway in Oeiras. During that meeting, Aníbal Pinto met with Doyen Sports chief executive Nélio Lucas and company representative Pedro Henriques regarding alleged blackmail by Rui Pinto.

The Public Prosecution Service had previously refused authorization to capture environmental audio recordings during the Oeiras meeting. The criminal complaint alleges that police officers recorded the conversation despite the refusal and subsequently told trial judges that they had merely overheard the exchange with their own ears. Carlos Cabreiro, who previously led the national anti-cybercrime unit and directed the Football Leaks probe, denied during the trial that any environmental recordings were made.

Whistleblower complaint and internal sanctions

The investigation was triggered by a complaint submitted on 27 July 2026 by David Freitas, a Judiciary Police coordinator with more than 30 years of police service. While stationed at UPAT, the surveillance and technical unit, Freitas reportedly found internal mission orders and operational logs indicating that Cabreiro ordered the unauthorized recording. Following the filing of the complaint, the PJ national leadership transferred Freitas to another department and initiated internal disciplinary proceedings against him.

The matter also involves inspector Aida Freitas, the whistleblower's wife, who attended the October 2015 surveillance operation. She testified during court proceedings that she did not hear the conversation and had signed the external diligence report without reading its contents. Her statements contradicted accounts from fellow inspectors and Cabreiro, leading to internal disciplinary measures and a criminal referral against her for alleged false declarations.

Cabreiro denies wrongdoing as hearings approach

The Attorney General's Office formally confirmed the opening of the inquiry into Cabreiro and other police officials on 14 September 2026. Carlos Cabreiro stated that he maintains all statements made in court during the Football Leaks proceedings and denied engaging in any unlawful conduct.

Judicial authorities have scheduled court hearings for 16 October 2026 to take testimony from other police inspectors involved in the 2015 surveillance. Prosecutors intend to examine seized UPAT records to determine whether evidence was unlawfully collected and whether false testimony was given during the trial.