Portuguese politician accused of stealing suitcases at airports
Portuguese politician accused of stealing suitcases at airports
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Miguel Arruda charged with theft after allegedly removing baggage from carousel and taking it home, reports say. A far-right politician in Portugal has been accused of stealing suitcases at several airports and kicked out of his political party as a result, the party has said.
According to several news outlets, police questioned Miguel Arruda on Tuesday at Lisbon airport and charged him with luggage theft after some of the missing suitcases were allegedly found at his home. The 40-year-old denied any wrongdoing, telling the broadcaster TVI on Thursday: “I am being crucified on the public square … but until proven otherwise, I am innocent.”.
Arruda, who decided to remain in the assembly as an independent, asked for his parliamentary immunity to be lifted. Members from his former party Chega booed Arruda during Friday’s parliamentary session. The assembly president, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, told Arruda to sit at the back of the chamber, where unaffiliated lawmakers are typically seated.
Local media reported that police had camera footage allegedly showing the politician taking his suitcase and a second, smaller one off the baggage carousel and then allegedly putting the second one into his own. Arruda defended himself by saying the video surveillance footage could have been generated by artificial intelligence.
