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Portuguese prominent figures to stand trial over golden visa scandal

Xinhua, May 13, 2016 Adjust font size:

Former Portuguese Internal Administration Minister Miguel Macedo will stand trial under an investigation into suspected corruption linked to the country's golden visa scheme, local media reported on Thursday.

Another 16 people accused in Portugal's golden visa scandal, including prominent figures like former minister Miguel Macedo, will also be standing trial.

Other figures involved include the former president of the Institute of Registral and Notarial Services, Antonio Figueiredo, former Director of the country's Foreigners and Borders service, Manuel Jarmela Palos, and the former Secretary General of the justice ministry Maria Antonia Anes, as well as several Chinese business people.

The case involves corruption, abuse of power and influence peddling.

According to local media, during the fact-finding debate on March 15, the state public prosecutor defended the idea that all the 17 defendants should stand trial, but the judicial decision was delayed due to the need to translate several texts to Mandarin Chinese.

Portugal introduced the golden visa scheme, which gives holders the right to travel in the Schengen area, in 2012.

The scheme entitles non-European families to a temporary visa permit to reside and work in Portugal, and to apply for permanent residency and Portuguese nationality.

Applications for visas are dependant on buying a residence of over 500,000 euros (569,000 U.S. dollars). Applicants can also buy real estate which is constructed at least 30 years ago or located in an area of urban rehabilitation worth over 350,000 euros.

There are other alternatives to getting a golden visa including creating 10 jobs or transferring capital worth 1 million euros or more.

Portugal had to introduce new legislation for the scheme after allegations of corruption and money laundering which saw 11 people detained in November 2014 and Macedo step down.

Portugal attributed 168 golden visa permits in March this year, the highest monthly number since the scheme was set up, according to figures released by the Portuguese Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF).

Chinese continue to lead the number of golden visa applications, clinching 130 in March, followed by the Brazilian at 17 and Russians at 4. Endit