Miguel Arruda, a 40-year-old Portuguese lawmaker, has been accused of stealing suitcases from multiple airports.
According to an AFP report, police questioned him on Tuesday at Lisbon airport and reportedly discovered some missing luggage at his residence. The allegations have caused a political uproar, leading to his expulsion from Chega party.
“I am being crucified in the public square,” Arruda told broadcaster TVI on Thursday, maintaining his innocence. He claimed the video footage allegedly showing him removing luggage from baggage carousels could have been manipulated using artificial intelligence.
Arruda has requested that his parliamentary immunity be lifted so that he can cooperate with the investigation. Despite his denial of the charges, members of his former party booed him during Friday’s parliamentary session. As a result, the assembly president instructed him to sit with unaffiliated lawmakers, wrote AFP.
According to local media reports, surveillance footage allegedly shows Arruda placing passengers’ suitcases into his own bags. Some reports suggest that he sold the contents of the stolen luggage on an online second-hand marketplace.
AFP quoted Chega President Andre Ventura as saying, “As president of the party, I cannot allow him to remain in the parliamentary group.”
Prosecutors confirmed to AFP an investigation is underway but have not linked the accusations to Arruda’s official duties.