Portuguese Minister of Justice Rita Alarcão Júdice stated on Saturday that her office is actively reviewing administrative requests concerning the termination of Rui Pinto’s Special Security Programme, promising a definitive formal response before October 10. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Registry Congress in Aveiro, Júdice confirmed that her cabinet is currently processing the documentation submitted by the hacker’s legal team.
The review follows a decision by the Commission for Special Security Programmes, which determined on Friday—following deliberations on June 8 and July 9—that the protective measures granted to the hacker in August 2020 should be rescinded. According to official disclosures, the termination stems from a reported failure by Pinto to comply with programme obligations, alongside a Public Security Police reevaluation report concluding that he currently faces a low level of risk.
Pinto's Defense Files Appeal to Maintain Protective Status
Promptly following the commission’s public announcement, Pinto’s defense counsel announced plans to file an administrative appeal with suspensive effect. Lawyers representing the hacker submitted formal requests to the Ministry of Justice last Wednesday, asking authorities to reconsider the termination, disclose the underlying risk reassessment data, grant Pinto a direct hearing, and guarantee the uninterrupted continuation of his protective status.
Legal representatives said their client's current situation is critical, noting that the threats he faces are active rather than theoretical. The defense specifically highlighted an incident in April when Pinto was assaulted in Lisbon, emphasizing that the removal of police protection, secure housing, financial subsidies, and forged identification documents leaves him dangerously exposed.
Background of the Football Leaks Case
Rui Pinto initially entered the state protection scheme six years ago after securing release from preventive detention in exchange for cooperating with law enforcement agencies.
Ministry of Justice Must Respond by October 10
Minister Rita Alarcão Júdice’s promised response must be delivered prior to October 10, the official deadline by which Pinto is required to vacate the safehouse assigned to him at the onset of his cooperation in 2020. As the October 10 cutoff approaches, the Ministry of Justice evaluation remains the final administrative checkpoint determining whether state protection will be reinstated or permanently withdrawn.
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