In a statement from the Attorney General’s Office to Lusa News Agency, the Public Prosecutor said it considered it “essential for the clarifying of facts, that the two sons of the Iraqi Ambassador to Portugal are heard under interrogation as defendants and it is therefore indispensable that their diplomatic immunity be removed.”
Portugal has given Iraq 20 days to reply to its deliberation and has submitted its formal request and respective documents to the twins’ father, the Iraqi Ambassador to Portugal.
Given the size of the case file and the fact it is all in Portuguese, Portugal has given Iraq 20 days to reply.
Earlier this year, in October, Iraqi authorities said they felt it was premature to make a decision on lifting the diplomatic immunity of the Ambassador’s sons, who by their own admission in a TV interview were involved in a “discussion” with Ponte de Sor teen Ruben Cavaco during a night out in that city.
The Iraqi State stressed in October that it wanted to cooperate in clarifying the facts behind what happened that night, but said that, given the stage proceedings were at and the consequent impossibility of access to them, it was “premature to make a decision” on the request to waive immunity.
Ruben Cavaco, now 16, was viciously attacked in Ponte de Sor, Portalegre, on 17 August, allegedly by the teenage sons of the Iraqi Ambassador to Portugal.
The victim suffered multiple fractures and was admitted to Lisbon’s Santa Maria Hospital, where he was placed in an induced coma for a while.
He was eventually discharged from hospital in September.
The two suspects, Haider and Ridha Ali, both 17, have diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention.
In an exclusive interview with broadcaster SIC in August, the boys admitted being involved in a brawl, but denied running the teen over.