“This is a situation that we have obviously been following. The truth is that we don't have in our consular records anyone with the name of Jack Teixeira, we don't. This is factual, therefore, he is not registered as a Portuguese citizen with that name”, said Paulo Cafôfo, questioned by Lusa.

Jack Teixeira, 21, is suspected of releasing highly classified documents with international implications, which mention spying actions by the United States of America on allies and enemies and sensitive data from military secret services about the war in Ukraine.

“Here, our position is simply to follow this case. But a follow-up ends up being limited, since there is not, in the records that we have, a Portuguese citizen with that name, who exists in our records”, insisted the Secretary of State of the Portuguese Communities.

The young man, whose identity was made known on Thursday, will be charged with the unauthorised removal of classified defense information from the United States, said US Attorney General Merrick Garland, following his arrest.