Kate McCann admits in her book that private criminal investigations in Portugal were illegal.

[stephen25000]

It is quite staggering that some people don't realize when some people 'investigate', names invariably get released ,and, especially as in the case I highlighted things can rapidly get out of hand.

Now let's remind ourselves of which people pointed the finger at Murat.

[Mr Gray]

hasn't anyone noticed how much investigation is going on ...on this and other forums ...with posters reaching judgement and looking for the mccanns to be punished

[slartibartfast]

and you do not know what those laws are...but base your ignorant opinions on what has been posted

I was referring to...

Carlos Anjos, the head of Portugal's criminal police federation, added:

Snip

"Portugal does not have legislation in this area. Private detectives who intervene in criminal cases cannot exist.

"The law only tolerates private detectives who gather information and only about matters of the private lives of certain people like extramarital relationships."

[Alice Purjorick]

My opinion is that this thread and your support of the perceived Portuguese law re PI's in Portugal  is a thinly veiled attack on the mccanns.There are countless private security firms in the uk doing police style work..the police could not function without help from the unqualified public..I don't see any point in your objection

Merciful heavens sir I expect you do but do not wish to acknowledge it.
You are entitled to your opinion of course, wrong thought it may be in this instance.
Perhaps we should politely beg to differ and close the conversation.

[Mr Gray]

I was referring to...

Carlos Anjos, the head of Portugal's criminal police federation, added:

Snip

"Portugal does not have legislation in this area. Private detectives who intervene in criminal cases cannot exist.

"The law only tolerates private detectives who gather information and only about matters of the private lives of certain people like extramarital relationships."

so still no details on the wording of the law..it sounds as though criminal PI's do not exist in Portugal..thats about it

[Carana]

I was referring to...

Carlos Anjos, the head of Portugal's criminal police federation, added:

Snip

"Portugal does not have legislation in this area. Private detectives who intervene in criminal cases cannot exist.

"The law only tolerates private detectives who gather information and only about matters of the private lives of certain people like extramarital relationships."

So, there is no blanket legislation?

[slartibartfast]

So, there is no blanket legislation?

Criminal PIs are not licensed/allowed in Portugal.

[Alfred R Jones]

Criminal PIs are not licensed/allowed in Portugal.

But what of the PT law that doesn't allow PIs to operate in Ireland?

[Carana]

Criminal PIs are not licensed/allowed in Portugal.

PT has laws for absolutely everything under the sun. I did skim read and I haven't found anything. Have you?

[Carana]

Criminal PIs are not licensed/allowed in Portugal.

Really?

Here are two, after a 5-second google search.

http://www.informetodo.pt/eng/

http://www.detectivemariocosta.com/

[John]

I have really got to laugh at some of the comments in defense of the McCanns actions when Kate McCann herself has admitted that they engaged in 'technically illegal' activity by employing private investigators.  One assumes that Antonio Martins, president of the National Association of Portuguese Judges and Carlos Anjos, the head of Portugal's criminal police federation, knew what they were talking about when they said that the McCanns risked being prosecuted for interference in a criminal investigation.  The Smiths refused to cooperate with these Spanish rogues and rightly so, one wonders how many others were harassed in the name of justice?

If anyone damaged the search for the truth I have no doubt Método 3 and Oakley International are high on the list!

[Eleanor]

Why haven't The McCanns been arrested and charged with illegal activities?  That's what I want to know.

[Carana]

I have really got to laugh at some of the comments in defense of the McCanns actions when Kate McCann herself has admitted that they engaged in 'technically illegal' activity by employing private investigators.  One assumes that Antonio Martins, president of the National Association of Portuguese Judges and Carlos Anjos, the head of Portugal's criminal police federation, knew what they were talking about when they said that the McCanns risked being prosecuted for interference in a criminal investigation.  The Smiths refused to cooperate with these Spanish rogues and rightly so, one wonders how many others were harassed in the name of justice?

If anyone damaged the search for the truth I have no doubt Método 3 and Oakley International are high on the list!

Have you found the law that prohibits private investigations yet, John?

[Montclair]

Have you found the law that prohibits private investigations yet, John?

It is illegal to run a private investigation while an official one is still open. Do you understand? I know that homicide is illegal in Portugal but I do not know the references to that law and I am not about to waste my time looking up the penal code for you.

[Carana]

It is illegal to run a private investigation while an official one is still open. Do you understand? I know that homicide is illegal in Portugal but I do not know the references to that law and I am not about to waste my time looking up the penal code for you.

I'm not deaf. But I did look and didn't find anything that could constitute a blanket prohibition. I thought that perhaps you had. So you haven't, either?