António Oliveira Nasso, from the David Mendes & Associados Law Firm, is responsible for the defense of the six accused, who have been detained in the Huambo district for almost three months.
According to the lawyer, co-defendants João Deussino, Domingos Muecália, Crescenciano Kapamba, Arão Kalala, Adelino Bacia and Francisco Nguli are accused of the crimes of terrorist organization, acquisition or possession of explosive, toxic and asphyxiating substances, manufacturing, trafficking, possession and alteration of prohibited weapons and ammunition and criminal association.
António Nasso criticized the press coverage of the case, alleging violations of the presumption of innocence of his constituents.
On Saturday, Angolan authorities dismantled a subversive group that intended to attack strategic targets, such as the Presidency of the Republic, the Luanda refinery and the US embassy during the visit of former US President Joe Biden, having seized 10 explosives.
Speaking to the press, the spokesperson for the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) Manuel Halaiwa said that the group led by João Deussinho, 34, self-proclaimed president of the revolutionary movement Frente Unida de Reedificação da Ordem Africana (FUROA) intended to to overthrow the Government and establish a new regime, with a National Police agent and an employee of the Ministry of Justice also among those arrested.
"From this perspective, we understand that the facts should be clarified at the time of the evidentiary hearing," he said.
The lawyer highlighted the speed of the process, believing that "in a few days they will be able to be notified about the statement and probable date for the trial".
The lawyer stressed that contact with the detainees has been constant.
"I don't go more than two days without going there to visit them," he said, adding that after the authorities' press conference, he went to talk to his constituents to "reassure them".
When asked about what the co-defendants said in relation to the accusations against him, Antonio Nasso said that "they explained some situations", which he preferred not to reveal, "under penalty of violating some principle, in this case, professional secrets".
"But they explained a lot and that's why we invite you to watch the trial to hear it first-hand and in person. I assume they are innocent, they are not completely guilty," he said.
At the press conference, the SIC spokesperson said that the organization with international links, which emerged in 2017 in the province of Huambo, began to be monitored in October and intended to carry out terrorist actions to destabilize the country's political and social order, creating panic during the official visit of former American leader Joe Biden, who visited Angola at the end of last year.
"Evidence of the existence of an alleged subversive organization of Angolan origin with probable branches abroad" was identified, he said.
During the investigation, which included national and international intelligence agencies and the Angolan Armed Forces, "a strategy" was identified to target some institutions and also strategic objectives of the State, in the provinces of Luanda and Huambo.
The explosive devices that would be used in the terrorist attacks included hand grenades of Russian, German, British and Portuguese origin and do not belong to the arsenal of the Angolan Armed Forces, suggesting that they were acquired clandestinely, the same official indicated.
