Ousted Guinea-Bissau leader’s wife under investigation in Portugal

Portugal probes wife of Umaro Sissoco Embalo for money laundering, smuggling after $5.44M in cash found on private jet, says media reports

By Fatma Esma Arslan Ozdel and Merve Berker

DAKAR, Senegal/ANKARA (AA) – Portuguese authorities launched a probe Wednesday into Dinisia Reis Embalo, the wife of Guinea-Bissau’s ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, on money laundering and smuggling charges, according to Portuguese media.

Police acted on an anonymous tip concerning Tito Fernandes, protocol chief of Embalo, who arrived in Lisbon from Guinea-Bissau on a private jet Dec. 14.

Fernandes was found carrying €5 million ($5.44 million) in cash in his suitcase and was detained at the airport on suspicion of money laundering and smuggling.

He was later released.

Embalo’s wife was aboard the private jet and is now under investigation on similar charges.

A coup was staged in late November as opposition candidate Fernando Dias and Embalo’s camps claimed victory in the presidential election, as the country awaited results.

Kaynak:

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