The President of the Regional Government, Miguel Albuquerque, has defended the principle of the presumption of innocence, stressing that investigations and media reports should not be confused with proof of wrongdoing.
Speaking to journalists at the Madeira Agricultural Fair, Albuquerque declined to comment directly on the political controversy surrounding the Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves. The scrutiny relates to reports concerning "Operation Ab Initio," an investigation launched while Neves headed the Judicial Police (PJ).
Albuquerque stated his long-held principle: "news is not convictions, nor are investigations, nor even accusations." He rejected the notion that "indications" within investigations should be treated as evidence, emphasizing that the legal process must be allowed to run its course.
