The searchers were part of an investigation under judicial secrecy, with no further details given about the suspicions.

"It is only confirmed that searches were carried out as part of an investigation led by the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Regional Department of Investigation and Criminal Action (DIAP) of Évora, which is under judicial secrecy," the Attorney General's Office told Lusa.

The news of the searches at the Algarve municipality, led by Rui Cristina, elected by Chega in the last local elections, was initially reported by CNN.

According to the same source, the suspicions involve crimes of incitement to hatred and racial discrimination, based on statements made by the mayor at a Municipal Assembly meeting in November, in which he stated that he would not spend money on housing for the Roma community.