“I confirm the searches. I was only informed of the searches after they had taken place. I have nothing to add. Only full collaboration, knowing that these are searches that do not refer to this mandate”, Carlos Moedas told journalists after a visit to the Manuel Castel Branco Municipal Pavilion, in Lisbon.

The mayor also said that only the judicial authorities that “can clarify” the searches.

“There is nothing better than transparency and transparency is essential in what we do. Our responsibility as mayors is to be fully transparent. This transparency with me is total. It is part of democratic life. To justice what belongs to justice, to politics what belongs to politics”, he stressed.

The searches carried out in the Lisbon Chamber are related to the “Tutti-frutti” process, an investigation started in 2017 into alleged favouritism by political leaders towards PSD and PS militants, the Attorney General's Office confirmed to Lusa.

"Searches are confirmed under the process known as 'Tutti Frutti'", said the Attorney General's Office (PGR), in a written response to questions sent by Lusa.

Also according to the PGR, the process is under investigation at the Lisbon Department of Investigation and Penal Action "and is subject to judicial secrecy".