Cape Verde's Prime Minister files criminal complaint against citizen for defamatory accusations
The Prime Minister of Cape Verde, Ulisses Correia e Silva, has filed a criminal complaint against Alex Évora for defamation, following accusations that he was a partner in CV Interilhas and was benefiting financially from the maritime transport sector. UCS considers the statements to be false and damaging to his honor and the image of the government, and defends the need for judicial accountability.
The Government of Cape Verde has informed that the Prime Minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva (UCS), has filed a criminal complaint with the Attorney General's Office against Alex Évora, a citizen residing in the United States and administrator of the Facebook page "Alex Evora Green Arts".
The action comes after the release of a video on social media, in which Évora accuses UCS of being a majority shareholder in the company CV Interilhas, insinuating that the government was blocking the development of the maritime transport sector for its own benefit. According to the government, in this same video, Alex Évora also claims that subsidies and financial support for CV Interilhas would be directed to UCS.
The Prime Minister considers the accusations "serious and absolutely false", stressing that they intentionally damage his honor, reputation and public image, as well as that of the Government. UCS says that, while it understands that public exposure brings criticism, it cannot accept slanderous accusations aimed at "character assassination" disguised as news or a political dispute.
The government stresses that freedom of expression is a fundamental right, but that it cannot be used as a pretext to violate the rights and dignity of citizens. Ulisses Correia e Silva argues that it is everyone's duty to combat this type of behavior in order to protect the values of the democratic rule of law.
The criminal complaint aims to make the accused answer in court for the damage caused to the Prime Minister's honor and moral suffering.
