Lisbon: Portuguese prosecutors have opened a formal investigation into whether the centre-right government's approval for the United States to use the Lajes Air Base in the Azores during the war with Iran complied with the law, the country's Prosecutor General's Office said on Saturday.
The probe was launched after a complaint from members of the opposition Left Bloc party, and it puts Portugal's role in the West Asia conflict under a rare legal spotlight.
What the base agreement allows
Lajes, a strategic US military facility in the Azores archipelago, operates under a defence arrangement that lets Washington use the base without prior authorisation in peacetime. Once hostilities begin, however, Portugal must sign off on its use.
Unlike neighbouring Spain, Portugal authorised several US transit flights through Lajes once the conflict with Iran was under way. That decision drew sharp criticism from left-wing parties and triggered a political debate in Lisbon over the country's involvement in operations connected to the war.
The Prosecutor General's Office confirmed that "the probe was opened following a complaint filed by members of the Left Bloc party", without sharing further details.
Government defends the decision
The Left Bloc first asked prosecutors back in April to examine the use of the base, arguing it amounted to a "gross violation of international law".
Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel has rejected that argument. He has said Portugal was not involved in the conflict and that the use of the base complied with international law, adding that Lisbon granted authorisation only after Washington assured that any operation would be defensive, necessary and proportionate, and limited to military targets.
Portugal's Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the prosecutors' move.
Portugal's prosecutors are bound by the principle of legality, which requires them to investigate alleged wrongdoing when there are sufficient grounds to do so, unlike some jurisdictions where prosecutors have broader discretion over whether a case should proceed.
Sources:
Telegraph India: Portugal probes US use of Lajes base in Iran war after opposition challenges govt approval (Reuters)
Khaama Press: Portugal Probes Legality of US Use of Lajes Air Base During Iran War
The probe was launched after a complaint from members of the opposition Left Bloc party, and it puts Portugal's role in the West Asia conflict under a rare legal spotlight.
What the base agreement allows
Lajes, a strategic US military facility in the Azores archipelago, operates under a defence arrangement that lets Washington use the base without prior authorisation in peacetime. Once hostilities begin, however, Portugal must sign off on its use.
Unlike neighbouring Spain, Portugal authorised several US transit flights through Lajes once the conflict with Iran was under way. That decision drew sharp criticism from left-wing parties and triggered a political debate in Lisbon over the country's involvement in operations connected to the war.
The Prosecutor General's Office confirmed that "the probe was opened following a complaint filed by members of the Left Bloc party", without sharing further details.
Government defends the decision
The Left Bloc first asked prosecutors back in April to examine the use of the base, arguing it amounted to a "gross violation of international law".
Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel has rejected that argument. He has said Portugal was not involved in the conflict and that the use of the base complied with international law, adding that Lisbon granted authorisation only after Washington assured that any operation would be defensive, necessary and proportionate, and limited to military targets.
Portugal's Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the prosecutors' move.
Portugal's prosecutors are bound by the principle of legality, which requires them to investigate alleged wrongdoing when there are sufficient grounds to do so, unlike some jurisdictions where prosecutors have broader discretion over whether a case should proceed.
Sources:
Telegraph India: Portugal probes US use of Lajes base in Iran war after opposition challenges govt approval (Reuters)
Khaama Press: Portugal Probes Legality of US Use of Lajes Air Base During Iran War
