Tapping the presidents phone

last updated 8 January 2015

Lisbon, Portugal

Portuguese President Joao Sampaio called this week for an investigation into reports that his phone calls, as well as those of dozens of other politicians, had been secretly recorded by prosecutors. Lisbon’s 24 Horas reported that the state prosecutor’s office tapped the phones of 200 prominent people four years ago, during an investigation of a massive pedophilia ring. A former ambassador, a member of parliament, and a TV news anchor are among those currently on trial for having sex with minors, but Sampaio and many others whose calls were taped were not suspects. “Illegal phone tapping or other intolerable forms of intrusion in the private lives of the Portuguese cannot be allowed,” Sampaio said.