The gémeas case in Portugal has taken a new turn as former President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa weighed in on the issue. In a statement released on September 28, 2026, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa emphasized that "no one is above the Constitution and the law." This comes after an investigation revealed that his son, Nuno Rebelo de Sousa, was involved in the case. The case revolves around the administration of the expensive medication Zolgensma to two Brazilian-Portuguese twins.
The gémeas case involves accusations against four individuals, including Nuno Rebelo de Sousa, former Secretary of State for Health António Lacerda Sales, former clinical director of Hospital Santa Maria Luís Pinheiro, and the mother of the twins, Daniela Martins. According to the Public Prosecution, they are accused of various crimes, including prevarication, abuse of power, and qualified fraud. The investigation alleges that Nuno Rebelo de Sousa used his influence to secure a consultation at Hospital Santa Maria for the twins to receive the Zolgensma treatment.
The Public Prosecution's 100-page accusation states that Nuno Rebelo de Sousa was aware of the influence his father and other officials had in accessing public hospital services. He allegedly used this knowledge to contact António Lacerda Sales, the Secretary of State for Health, to arrange a meeting and secure a consultation for the twins. The prosecution claims that this conduct aimed to bypass existing rules for scheduling consultations in public hospitals.
The Zolgensma medication at the center of the controversy is one of the most expensive in the world, with a treatment cost of around two million euros. The twins, diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, were able to receive the treatment after Nuno Rebelo de Sousa's alleged intervention. The case has been under investigation since it was exposed by a journalistic investigation and a parliamentary inquiry.
Nuno Rebelo de Sousa's defense team has stated that the accusations against him are unfounded. His lawyer, Rui Patrício, expressed that the accusation lacks factual, legal, and social basis. The defense is currently evaluating whether to request the opening of an instruction, a step that occurs before the trial.
The case has undergone significant developments, including a parliamentary inquiry that heard from dozens of individuals. The inquiry's conclusions suggested a "special intervention" by the then-President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa's office, but found no illegality. However, the Inspection-General of Health Activities (IGAS) concluded that the access to the neuropediatric consultation was indeed illegal.
The gémeas case continues to unfold, with the accused individuals set to face trial. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa's statement reiterates the importance of upholding the law and the Constitution. As the case progresses, it will be closely watched by the Portuguese public and media, including RecordTV Cabo Verde, which has been covering the developments.
Key points
- Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa emphasizes that no one is above the law in the gémeas case.
- Four individuals, including Nuno Rebelo de Sousa, are accused of crimes related to the administration of Zolgensma.
- The defense team of Nuno Rebelo de Sousa claims that the accusations against him are unfounded.
