The former Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates goes on probation

USPA NEWS - Former Socialist Prime Minister of Portugal, Jose Socrates, who was under house arrest on suspicion of corruption, has been released on parole, as confirmed by the Portuguese prosecutor. Socrates defends that the proceedings against him was a "political judgement".

According to the prosecutor, they have already collected enough data in the process of open investigation against the suspect socialist President of corrupt practices during his time in front of the Portuguese Government, which "has diminished the possibility of disruption" test. The former Portuguese Prime Minister, 58, remained under house arrest at his home in Lisbon after spending more than nine months on remand in prison Evora, which he left last September 4.

Former Socialist Prime Minister is accused of corruption, tax fraud, insider trading and money laundering. His conditional release occurs after the judge Carlos Alexandre decreed Thursday to the gag and free access to lawyers Jose Socrates found the evidence against his client. Former Portuguese President had complained that the proceedings against him was a "political judgement" because he was not allowed access to the file to defend.

The arrest of Jose Socrates, former Prime Minister of Portugal between 2005 and 2011, is the first by a high political leader in the country's history. As environment minister at an earlier time, and was associated with corruption as the Freeport Mall and Montebranco operation linked to the late BES. It was the Prime Minister who requested the bailout for Portugal and always defended that he was "forced to do so" by the lack of support from the conservative PSD to Government budgets.

From now until the judgement, after his liberation, Jose Socrates can lead a normal life, although his freedom has conditions: He can not leave Portugal without giving prior to the judge and can not communicate with any other accused in the case. But he will no longer remain prisoner at his home in Lisbon. The coming months he may engage in preparation of his defense of the charges against him.