Benfica president Luís Filipe Vieira arrested over alleged financial fraud

Lisbon, Jul 7 (EFE).- The president of S.L. Benfica, Luís Filipe Vieira, was arrested Wednesday together with his son and another two businessmen over suspicions of money laundering and other financial crimes, according to the Portuguese prosecutor’s office.

Authorities issued 45 search warrants across Lisbon, Braga and Torres Vedras to investigate business deals worth more than 100 million euros that could involve money laundering schemes.

Several entities were targeted by the searches, including Benfica soccer club and the Novo Banco banking institution’s addresses, offices and law firms.

The prosecutor’s office said that 74 police officers, 66 tax agency inspectors, four Public Ministry justices and three judges were involved in the large-scale operation.

According to Portuguese media, the investigation will also focus on the sale of Benfica shares and Benfica shareholder José António dos Santos, one of those arrested, who allegedly bought debt from a company managed by Vieira. EFE

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