Former Socialist leader again criminally prosecuted by Jardim

The former Madeira Socialist Party leader, João Carlos Gouveia is to stand trial for allegedly defaming Jardim next Thursday. I will be a witness for the defense.

The trial is another political farce, starting with the fact that the crime is supposed to be harsher due to Jardim being President of the Regional Government. That is the first big joke, for Jardim has no legitimacy due to the fact that his victories were won violating the election laws and resorting to Nazi-style hate speeches which in a decent country would have had him behind bars, if not in a loony bin. Yet despite all the proof in the hands of the Public Prosecutor's Office they seem somehow unable to draft an accusation to take the bggr to trial.

To Jardim, these policial trials are all a great joke. He shunts public money into the pockets of one of his lawyer friends, in this case his pal the PSD regional MP, Tranquada Gomes, and if things go well he gets to pocket a few thousand. Its one of Jardim's favourite hobbies, especially since it does not cost him anything...

But the funny thing it seems some one of the Public Prosecutors seems to also want to get in on the action. Maria Gameiro, the Deputy Public Prosecutor who notoriously shelved the fraud case against the Jornal - apparently she's ignorant of the law and blind to it - is also taking Gouveia to Court for slander. I really look forward to testifying in that case, I am only sad that it has been postponed.

Court of Appeal acquits former PS leader of slandering Jardim

The Court of Appeal has acquitted the former PS leader João Carlos Gouveia of libel. Gouveia had said that the problem with Madeira was that Jardim was its nº1 enemy. Jardim 'uses illicit means and foments corruption with the only objective of winning elections', he said. He abhors working and spends his time traveling'. 

Gouveia had been acquitted in the lower court. This judgement adds that the considerations made by João Carlos Gouveia are not without a factual basis and that there is reason to limit freedom of expression in a democratic society: 'on the contrary, such exercise is concretely suited to the scrutiny of political agents'. The judges then cite President Truman's saying, 'if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen 

Former PS leader absolved in Jardim Libel Case

João Carlos Gouveia, the former leader of the local Socialist Party has been absolved of libel in a case brought against him by the President of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, Jardim. Gouveia had accused Jardim of ‘using illicit means and fomenting corruption with the single objective of winning elections’. Jardim, who regularly makes far worse accusations against whoever he pleases and hides behind his political immunity, alleged that this statement caused him anguish and that it perturbed his personal and political life. The judge found there was no illicit behavior on the part of the accused.

Jardim said he would contest the judgement. ‘As you know’, he said ‘there exists some tensions between certain agents of justice in the region and the regional power. This is undeniable and its not worth being hypocritical and trying to hide this’.