The Madeira business group, which operates in Portugal and Angola in areas such as construction, real estate, healthcare, agriculture and “car rental”, is mentioned in the process through Prime Talatona, of which Pedro Lussati is a partner. along with José António Figueira Chavez, one of the four Chavez brothers.

According to the indictment, Lussati’s money circulated through several companies, including Insulcar and others associated with the Irmãos Chaves group, and it was through these companies that he allegedly transferred the amounts to Portugal.

The document mentions several bank deposits in the accounts of Prime Talatona and says that José António Figueira Chavez was involved in the money transfer scheme abroad.

According to the indictment, from May 22, 2018 to May 1, 2021, several cash deposits were made to his bank account at Caixa Angola Bank through Prime Talatona in Angola and Insulcar-Rent-a-Car e Irmãos. Keys in Portugal.

Edson Rosario, Deniz Santos, Dorivaldo Santiago and Quetzia Lima tried to withdraw money from Angola and transferred it in Portugal to bank accounts belonging to Pedro Lussati and his wife Marisa Manuel António.

In a conversation with Lusa Fernando Chaves, brother of businessman José Antonio Figueira Chavez, he confirmed that Lussati is a partner of Prime Talatona, but rejects any illegal actions.

“We found ourselves in a situation that dates back to 2013 because my brother is a partner of Lussati,” said Fernando Chavez, explaining that Prime Talatona was created at that time for the purpose of building residential buildings and that the money flow is due to the sale of apartments.

The relationship with Lussati began when Major bought an apartment in a condominium and later became a partner, while Angolan law imposed this obligation on those who wanted to invest in the country.

Stressing that the Chávez brothers are not defendants in the process and are not even listed as witnesses, he ensured that all documentation was provided to the Angola Attorney General’s Office (PGR), including bank statements and sales contracts, and expressed regret about the fact that the Madeiran group is participating in a “Mexican soap opera” that will “tarnish the image” of Madeiran businessmen.

“At that time, everything was done like this, it was banal. The military and generals intervened. Lussati did not have a lawsuit in 2013. Did I know that he was involved in less clear cases? No, it was impossible to find out, we did not interrogate him to find out where he went for the money, ”said Fernando Chavez.

The same official confirmed that two transfers had been made – which “had nothing to do with Prime” – through the group’s companies to Lussati’s accounts in Portugal, explaining that the Angolan major had discovered a business opportunity to acquire the house and they were made.” to facilitate” Lussati’s partner’s access to funds in Portugal, as “it was not possible for him to make these transfers”.

Regarding these transfers in the amount of approximately 8,000 and 600,000 euros, he added that clarifications had already been given to the Portuguese PGR, which wanted to know the origin of the money, about a month ago.

Fernando Chavez acknowledged that the case affects the reputation of the company, but denied involvement in “any money laundering scheme.”

Asked about partnering with Pedro Lussati, he said he was staying while the trial was going on and regretted choosing the “wrong partner” who is now at the mercy of Angolan justice and is going through a “dramatic period”.

“Pedro Lussati was a bad choice, today you can say that, but at that time it was not so. We have a completely clear conscience, we are calm, we will wait. This is their problem, they dragged us into it, and we will try to get out without injuries, we don’t need this mess, ”Fernando Chavez emphasized.

The massive trial involves 49 defendants and about 200 witnesses who will testify about Operation Caranguejo, a scheme that involved fraudulent payments from the Casa de Segurança payroll that generated $62 million (about €59 million).

The start of the trial is scheduled for 09:00 Tuesday and will take place at the Talatona Conference Center, depending on the number of participants in the process, including the defendants, witnesses, experts and witnesses.

Among the defendants are officers of the Angolan Armed Forces (AFF) and civilians accused of embezzlement, criminal conspiracy, improper gain, economic involvement in business, abuse of office, fraud in transporting or transferring currency abroad, illegal introduction of foreign currency into the country , illegal currency trading, prohibition of cash payments, withholding of currency, forgery of documents, money laundering and false identity.

Angolan Major Pedro Lussati, considered the leader of the group, was arrested for possession of millions of dollars, euros and kwanzas stored in suitcases and boxes, as well as more than a dozen cars.

The long list of witnesses to be heard in July and August includes the names of Manuel Vieira Díaz “Copelipa” and Gigino Carneiro, as well as other high-ranking generals of the Federal Aviation Administration.

As a result of these arrests, several officials associated with the Angolan Presidential Security Service were fired, including General Pedro Sebastian, then Minister of State and head of the Security Service, João Lourenço, who was replaced by General Francisco Pereira Furtado.

RKR // LFS