These illigal acts were carried out while participating in United Nations missions, according to national authorities.

The ongoing operations include searches in several cities in the country, including the capital, Porto, Bragança and Vila Real.

The suspects, retired and active officers of the Republican National Guard and the Public Security Police, are also charged with money laundering, according to an investigation dating back to 2020.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Augusto Santos Silva, after condemning the facts, highlighted the value of the “unanimously recognized” role of the Portuguese military serving abroad.

Portugal’s international image benefits greatly from the fact that we are a contributor to international security, particularly in UN peacekeeping missions, but also in NATO and the European Union,” he said.

pgh/etc/mgtehl