Angolan commentator and sociologist acquitted of defamation – Observer

The operation between José Carlos Paiva, president of Banco Angolano de Investimento (BAI) and commentator Tânia de Carvalho had a positive outcome for the defendant. The Angolan sociologist was also acquitted of the crime of defamation of which a bank clerk accused her, leading to Maca Angola “There are serious courts that have started in Luanda,” she said.

The Luanda District Court ruled on July 27 that there was no malicious and defamatory intent by Tania de Carvalho, as it was limited to referring to news published about Jose Carlos Paiva, including one of the Observer, says the portal created by activist and journalist Rafael Márquez.

Earlier, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, who had initially followed the prosecution, requested his acquittal on the grounds that the commentator was not at fault.

In the public hearings, it became clear that Tânia de Carvalho was commenting on information that had already been published, for example, how José Carlos Paiva acquired BAI shares allegedly delivered by Sonangol. Or about financial operations in Brazil, where he was the target of a Federal Police investigation as the bank clerk, close to the family of Jose Eduardo dos Santos, He was briefly confined to a bed in the hotel room where he was staying in Joao Pessoaas the Observer reported in 2020.

From Sonangol to Paraíba: Brazil investigates embezzlement of 19.5 million euros used to build luxury resorts

The former General Manager of the UK branch Sonangol has been under the attention of the Brazilian Federal Police since 2009 due to two luxury projects being built in the state of Paraíba. The Brazilian authorities suspected the transfer of funds – 19.5 million euros – from the Angolan oil company through a network of companies located in tax havens in which Isabel dos Santos herself will participate.

Despite being the plaintiff, Jose Carlos Paiva was never present in court. In Tania de Carvalho’s ruling, Judge Maredith Teixeira said her absence, in part uncertain, did not allow an assessment of any insult to her honor and dignity, Maca Angola said. However, his lawyer, Paula Godinho, who is still working on the same portal, clarified that her client lives outside the country but can answer On the feelings and emotions of Jose Carlos Paiva Regarding the comments of Tania de Carvalho.

still according to Maca AngolaThe judge suggested, in addition to acquitting Tania de Carvalho, that the prosecutor’s office investigate the absent banker’s actions. Especially because during the hearings an unknown fact emerged. His lawyer would have given as an example the confidence that the government of José Eduardo dos Santos had in Jose Carlos Paiva, who He saved hundreds of millions of dollars in his personal accounts in Switzerland to buy weapons for the Angolan army. Accounts that, according to Maca Angola, were never audited.

However, Tania de Carvalho and Rafael Marquez filed a criminal complaint over alleged corruption and misappropriation of assets against Jose Carlos Paiva last May. The founder of Ufolo, Centro de Estudos para a Boa Governação, wants the BAI chairman to prove that he did not hold 13% of the shares of the banking institution, without special permission, after Sonangol’s investment in the bank, which was created in 1996, is declining .