“I was not told about the cover-up by the government, or anyone else in parliament, or by the military leadership, or through any criminal, civil or military investigative bodies, or through members of my team, or by any third parties,” De Sousa said.


De Sousa, who is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, said that he knew that the defence of one of those involved was a matter of expressly stating that it did not involve him. He stressed that these are the same facts, the same information as three or four months ago, which are being presented again.


“However, in order for there to be no doubt, not only about personal honour, but also because I am here to defend Portugal’s position, it is good that I am not defending Portugal’s position in the United Nations General Assembly while there is vague doubt as to whether the president is a criminal; it is good that it is clear that the president is not a criminal,” he said.


TVI reported that PJ-Militar Major Vasco Brazão, in a telephone tap, referred to the president as the chief parrot of the kingdom, who, according to him, knew everything.


The theft of weapons of war from Tancos’ depot was reported on 29 June 2017.


One of the defendants in the case is the former national defence minister José Azeredo Lopes, who is prohibited from contacting the other defendants, his former chief of staff and the former army chief of staff, General Rovisco Duarte.


Almost three months after the announcement of the weapons theft, the Polícia Judiciária Militar (PJM) revealed the material had reappeared near Chamusca, 20km from Tancos, in collaboration with members of the criminal investigation nucleus of the National Republican Guard (GNR) of Loulé.


The process of recovering the military material led to a judicial investigation, for suspicions of criminal association, arms trafficking and terrorism in the theft of arms and during which the former director of PJM Luís Vieira and the former spokesman of PJM Vasco Brazão and three GNR police officers were arrested.


Among the stolen material were grenades, including anti-tank, plastic explosives and a large amount of ammunition.