Henrique Ramos allegedly threatened Aleixos at the entrance of the courthouse, as claimed by Aleixos.
In a unprecedented turn of events at a trial court in Porto, two defendants associated with Operation Pretoriano, requested exemption from attending the proceedings, citing a desire to prevent potential conflict situations.
On the first day of the hearing, witnesses from the Sousa family recounted their ordeal at the Dragão Arena during the FC Porto General Assembly in November 2023. Carlos Sousa testified that he and his family were victims of physical aggression at the hands of two 'Aleixo', in the north stand of the stadium.
Carlos Sousa, accompanied by his wife and son, spoke at length about the incident. He recounted how his son was the first to be attacked, necessitating the family to retreat. Sousa further elaborated that he was then pushed down a flight of stairs, resulting in broken ribs. He stressed that his son, rather than the private security company, had been instrumental in protecting him during the chaos.
According to Sousa's account, the altercation began when his son alerted security about the tense atmosphere at the assembly, following instances of coercion against fans not participating in pro-Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa chants.
His son, João Pedro, corroborated his father's account, stating that the confrontation escalated after he had reported the situation to security. Victor Manuel 'Aleixo' is said to have approached João Pedro, allegedly branding him ungrateful, before a chain of violent incidents ensued.
João Pedro recounted how his efforts to escape the conflict by talking to security went awry when 'Aleixo' approached him. He explained that 'Aleixo's son proceeded to assault him, causing him to fall down the stairs.
The two defendants subsequently admitted to the charges leveled against them, expressing their apologies in court. Additionally, a CMTV journalist was summoned to testify about threats made by Victor 'Catão' towards a colleague near the Dragão Stadium, a matter that had been previously addressed during a previous session.
The Operation Pretoriano trial commenced on March 17, 2025, at the São João Novo Court, where the defendants face charges including 19 counts of coercion and aggravated threats, seven physical integrity offenses during a sports event, one public incitement to a crime, one throwing objects or liquids, and three violations of freedom of information in relation to the FC Porto General Assembly in November 2023.
Fernando Madureira, former leader of the Super Dragões, is the only defendant currently under preventive detention, the strongest coercive measure, while the rest have been conditionally released.
- The ongoing Operation Pretoriano trial, taking place at the São João Novo Court in Porto, also recently saw the sports world intertwine with crime and justice, as a CMTV journalist was summoned to testify about a threat made by Victor 'Catão'.
- Furthermore, the general-news landscape has been abuzz with updates on the incident at the Dragão Arena during the FC Porto General Assembly in November 2023, where witnesses from the Sousa family accused 'Aleixo' of initiating a physical altercation, involving crime and violence during the sports event.
