McCann v Gonçalo Amaral libel hearing witness Luis Neves.
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Libel trial McCann v Gonçalo Amaral - Day 7 Witness No 3
The testimony as it happened...
(08.10.2013, 12:01pm) Luis Neves, former Coordinator of the DCCB (Direcção Central de Combate ao Banditismo), now directs the UNCT (Unidade Nacional de Combate ao Terrorismo), the PJ unit that fights violent criminality.
The Judge asks the witness if he intervened in the criminal process related to Madeleine McCann's disappearance.
LN says he did, but not directly. He explains that, after some days, the then National Director of the PJ, Alipio Ribeiro, asked him to send officers of his unit who were specialised in cases of abduction and hostage. He adds that his team had collaborated in the Joana Cipriano murder case.
The Judge – What do you mean by "indirectly"?
LN says that, though he went to the Algarve a few times to meet Guilhermino Encarnação, then Director of the PJ in Faro, and Gonçalo Amaral, the operations were performed by Portimão police officers under the direction of his team.
The Judge asks if the witness' relations with Gonçalo Amaral are only professional or if there is a personal relationship.
LN says there's friendship between them.
The Judge asks if the witness had a relationship with the McCanns.
LN remembers he saw them at a meeting organized by Guilhermino Encarnação in the British Consulate in Portimão concerning diligences to perform on sightings.
The Judge – Have you read the book?
LN says he didn't read it completely. Somebody showed the book to him and he read a few sections, just before the injunction trial.
The Judge - Have you watched the documentary?
LN says "no".
He swears to tell the truth.
1) Defence lawyers
This witness is common to Defence lawyers acting on behalf of both Guerra & Paz and Gonçalo Amaral, the question being who will start.
a) Gonçalo Amaral’s lawyer, Dr Santos de Oliveira, is the first to question the witness.
SO – Do you have any knowledge of the AG Final Report concerning this case?
LN says "yes".
SO – Do you know that the PJ went on gathering information after the case was shelved?
LN says he is aware of that.
SO – Was there some investigation?
LN says if there was he didn't take part in it.