In the trial in which “Kopelipa” was acquitted, General Leopoldino Fragoso “Dino,” Chinese citizen Yiu Haiming, lawyer Fernando Gomes dos Santos, and three companies were convicted. The defense criticized the ruling for relying on statements given during the preparatory investigation phase, considering it damaging to the rule of law.
The Supreme Court of Angola today highlighted the “relevant contribution” that defendant Manuel Hélder Vieira Dias Júnior, known as “Kopelipa,” who was acquitted today, gave to the Angolan nation, expressing hope that from now on, “his deeds will contribute to the advancement of the country.”
The presiding judge in this trial, Anabela Valente, delivered the message at the end of the reading of the ruling that acquitted Manuel Hélder Vieira Dias Júnior “Kopelipa” and convicted Leopoldino Fragoso do Nascimento “Dino,” both generals and trusted members of the late former Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos, as well as Chinese citizen Yiu Haiming, lawyer Fernando Gomes dos Santos, and the companies China International Fund (CIF), Plansmart International Limited, and Utter Right International Limited.
“Let Manuel Hélder Vieira Dias prove that, with his acquittal, from now on, the country and the nation gain from him an exemplary family man, an exemplary patriot, an exemplary guerrilla fighter for peace, harmony, and social stability in Angola and for all Angolans,” said the presiding judge.
Anabela Valente praised “Kopelipa’s” military record, acknowledging his contribution within the former People’s Armed Forces of the Liberation of Angola (FAPLA), the former armed wing of the ruling party MPLA.
“And now, from this moment on and into the future, we hope to see his achievements for the betterment of the country, the nation, and future generations. Let us think of those who will come after us: children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews,” she stressed.
Regarding those convicted, the judge urged them to “reflect, meditate on how everything happened, why it happened, and seek to improve their behavior and conduct.”
“We must indeed show that we are patriots, and when we assume certain roles and positions, we must keep in mind that we will serve the nation and the State to the fullest, serve our fellow citizens, and earn their respect, because we will depart from this world and our deeds will remain. We must keep that in mind,” she said.
Speaking to the press, the attorney representing Plansmart International Limited and Utter Right International Limited considered the ruling “bad” for a democratic state governed by the rule of law, arguing that the only valid evidence in a trial is that produced during the hearing, but the court relied on “alleged statements made during the preparatory stage to justify its decision.”
“Just that, in itself, renders the ruling null, because the witnesses were here, they were heard, questioned, under an adversarial process, and they said what they knew and what they had seen. But the court decided to disregard what the witnesses said,” said Benja Satula.
According to the lawyer, the sentence was fair in the acquittal of one defendant, and the other defendants were also acquitted of the crime of criminal association, but “that aside, the ruling is a bad ruling for Angolan justice and for a democratic state governed by the rule of law.”
The ruling states that the court deemed as proven fact the testimony of the witnesses, some given during the preparatory phase, such as that of Francisco de Lemos José Maria, chairman of the board of Sonangol at the time, as they appeared “more credible than those given during the trial hearings.”
“We noticed several memory lapses, and his demeanor was as if, by telling the truth, he would be betraying the trust of the defendants,” said the judge, noting the same situation regarding Ernesto Norberto Garcia, then director of the Technical Unit for Private Investment, who appeared “nervous” during the trial, “evading questions,” and still demonstrating that he was “protecting the defendants, admitting with some arrogance the practice of acts contrary to the Private Investment Law in force at the time.”
Also mentioned was Carlos Maria da Silva Feijó, whose statements at the time of the events were considered “more credible than those given during the trial hearings,” as he served as head of the China International Fund Angola office and the China Sonangol International Limited branch.
“The witness, in his hearing, clearly supporting the defendants, showed arrogance, claiming he was the creator of the Land Law, the Constitution of the Republic of Angola, and the State Land Zone, turning the courtroom into a classroom,” emphasized the judge.
Expresso, 18/11/2025
