Attorneys demand access to Ao’s notebooks

The businessman Pedro Chiang’s lawyer demanded access to the original documents of the former secretary Ao Man Long’s so-called “friendship notebooks”.
Yesterday, Joao Miguel Barros supported by other attorneys said that without free access to that evidence the defence is in a disadvantaged position compared with the Public Prosecution Office (MP).
Yesterday, in the trial of the fifth case related with the ex-secretary Ao Man Long corruption case, the collegial panel of the Lower Court (TJB) concluded the hearing of the defendants. Judges promised to make a decision on the lawyers request before starting the witnesses’ hearing.
Joao Miguel Barros wants the MP to attach to the process Ao Man Long’s notebooks – which include details of every illegal transaction and the kickbacks received – so it could be consulted by the defence attorneys.
Barros also said that the notebooks are an extremely important document for the case and cannot be kept secret by the Commission against Corruption (CCAC).
Chiang’s lawyer pointed out the defence is facing an imbalance of arms, and without the consultation of the notebooks, lawyers cannot prepare the contradictory. He said that the documents associated with his client are copies and some are blank, without any reference to Pedro Chiang.
Pedro Redinha, defence attorney of Lam Man I, endorsed Joao Miguel Barros demand, while lawyer Joao Vale Roxo added that if the court does not allow free access to the notebooks, those should not be considered valid as evidence against the defendants.
The MP argued that there is no attempt to hide the books from the attorneys and assured the documents they have in their hands are genuine. They explained that the notebooks include other names of people under investigation and thus invoked the right to confidentiality.
Therefore, the prosecutors suggested that the court consult the notebooks in first place and then decide if they can be fully attached to the case or not.
However, the attorneys totally disagreed with the MP’s proposal.
Pedro Redinha advocated that the rights of the defence cannot be affected by MP’s strategic interests, while Leonel Alves recalled that “judicial secrecy” is also included in the lawyers’ ethical and professional code.
Former secretary for Transportation and Public Works, Ao Man Long, was jailed for 28 and a half years for charges of money laundering and corruption. It involved at least MOP 800 million in bribes and other ill-gotten gains.