Did Gonçalo Amaral breach Portuguese secrecy laws?

[faithlilly]

why bother...you won't accept anything that doesn't fit with your views

That'll be a no then.

However I do love this little gem of duplicity as it shows the spin employed by certain parties in all its abhorrent, dishonest glory.

The judge said that Amaral's book, contrary to the McCanns claims, was based on information from the files. Strike one for Amaral you would have thought. But no, once it has been put through the McCann spin cycle, via Duarte and Lusa, it actually means that the judge thinks Amaral has broken the judicial secrecy law. You really couldn't make this up.

[Alice Purjorick]

It appears the judge has made the statement..no debate ..no internet punter..

It rather looks more like someone said the judge said.

[Carana]

That'll be a no then.

However I do love this little gem of duplicity as it shows the spin employed by certain parties in all its abhorrent, dishonest glory.

The judge said that Amaral's book, contrary to the McCanns claims, was based on information from the files. Strike one for Amaral you would have thought. But no, once it has been put through the McCann spin cycle, via Duarte and Lusa, it actually means that the judge thinks Amaral has broken the judicial secrecy law. You really couldn't make this up.

As far as I can work out, a breach of judicial secrecy would be the object of a potential criminal prosecution and therefore beyond the scope of points to consider in the current civil trial.

I could be wrong, but at least that's how I understand the situation.

[Brietta]

It rather looks more like someone said the judge said.

Isn't it all just that?

[ferryman]

As far as I can work out, a breach of judicial secrecy would be the object of a potential criminal prosecution and therefore beyond the scope of points to consider in the current civil trial.

I could be wrong, but at least that's how I understand the situation.

Breach of secrecy is relevant to the libel trial in one, crucial, respect.  It annuls the principle to s/he who is willing no harm can come, which might otherwise have annulled the McCanns' action.

But I agree it is unlikely that will play a part in the final judgment.

[ferryman]

From Pathfinders link.

03 July 2008

Note: Tomorrow Expresso will publish the full interview. The book is finished. 200 pages. Ready for publishing “immediately” upon the secrecy being lifted. Also notice Mr. Gonçalo Amaral has a good sense of humour, his already grilling some sardines. -

Yep.

The case was archived in August.

Any publication before that date would be breach of secrecy.

[Carana]

Breach of secrecy is relevant to the libel trial in one, crucial, respect.  It annuls the principle to s/he who is willing no harm can come, which might otherwise have annulled the McCanns' action.

But I agree it is unlikely that will play a part in the final judgment.

It doesn't seem to appear in the list of proven / unproven facts. I guess we'll just have to wait to see what the judge makes of it all. And then wait for any appeal process, which could then go on for another decade or more.

I can only hope that whatever has happened to this little girl will be discovered way before this defamation saga comes to an end.

[Alice Purjorick]

Isn't it all just that?

Well it looks to me like we have the following activities:
The judge said .............
The translation in to English of what the judge said says............
The Portuguese newspaper said the judge said then added a bit of its own opinion ..............
The translation into English of what the Portuguese newspaper said the judge said after the newspaper added a bit of its own opinion says ................

one finger one thumb keep moving 
Tune in next week.

[Carana]

Well it looks to me like we have the following activities:
The judge said .............
The translation in to English of what the judge said says............
The Portuguese newspaper said the judge said then added a bit of its own opinion ..............
The translation into English of what the Portuguese newspaper said the judge said after the newspaper added a bit of its own opinion says ................

one finger one thumb keep moving 
Tune in next week.

My friend, Punxsutawney Phil, was saying something similar just the other day...

[faithlilly]

It doesn't seem to appear in the list of proven / unproven facts. I guess we'll just have to wait to see what the judge makes of it all. And then wait for any appeal process, which could then go on for another decade or more.

I can only hope that whatever has happened to this little girl will be discovered way before this defamation saga comes to an end.

I very much doubt whether the McCanns or Amaral will have the stomach, or indeed the finances, to appeal.

[Montclair]

IMO the accusation of hypocrisy against sceptics is because they constantly criticise the lack of detail which they demand should be shown in the fund accounts.  They claim that they are entitled to know every tiny little expenditure -  because donations were made by the public.   But simultaneously they completely approve - and have no criticism whatsoever of Amaral's decision to give no account at all of how donations to his fund also made by the public, have been used.

How anyone can claim that stance is not hypocritical is a mystery to me.

Gonçalo Âmaral does not have any control over or access to the "fund" set up to pay the legal costs incurred by this case. Certain people hate this fund because it gave him the financial means to defend himself. It is obvious that the McCanns and their lawyers believed that, due to being financially strangled by the injunction, he would give in and settle out of court. That is why the McCanns witnesses were so feeble and useless, they never thought that they would have to see the inside of a court room.

[Mr Moderator]

Gonçalo Âmaral does not have any control over or access to the "fund" set up to pay the legal costs incurred by this case. Certain people hate this fund because it gave him the financial means to defend himself. It is obvious that the McCanns and their lawyers believed that, due to being financially strangled by the injunction, he would give in and settle out of court. That is why the McCanns witnesses were so feeble and useless, they never thought that they would have to see the inside of a court room.

Could that be why they always offer to settle any libel action?

[Mr Moderator]

I very much doubt whether the McCanns or Amaral will have the stomach, or indeed the finances, to appeal.

Snr Amaral has already made known that he is not in a position to take any further legal action while his assets remain under embargo.  That situation will change dramatically if the current damages trial finds in his favour or finds against him but awards a nominal award.  The possibilities then available to him will be many.

[faithlilly]

Gonçalo Âmaral does not have any control over or access to the "fund" set up to pay the legal costs incurred by this case. Certain people hate this fund because it gave him the financial means to defend himself. It is obvious that the McCanns and their lawyers believed that, due to being financially strangled by the injunction, he would give in and settle out of court. That is why the McCanns witnesses were so feeble and useless, they never thought that they would have to see the inside of a court room.

Absolutely Montclair. It's heartening that much of the donated to the fund has come directly from supporters in the UK. It seems that while individuals willing to donate to the Madeleine Fund dwindles, the fund to enable Amaral to defend himself goes from strength to strength.

[Eleanor]

Absolutely Montclair. It's heartening that much of the donated to the fund has come directly from supporters in the UK. It seems that while individuals willing to donate to the Madeleine Fund dwindles, the fund to enable Amaral to defend himself goes from strength to strength.

So why didn't his last but one Lawyer get paid?