At issue are 30 crimes of human trafficking, as well as crimes of aiding illegal immigration, criminal association to aid illegal immigration, and money laundering, among others.

This is one of the cases resulting from the so-called ‘Operation Mirror’, carried out by the Judicial Police (PJ) in November 2023, related to the alleged exploitation of dozens of immigrant workers on farms in Alentejo.

The trial began on 20 October 2025, with 20 defendants, but the court decided to try three separately.

In its closing arguments, the Public Prosecutor’s Office requested the conviction of eight people, the acquittal of two other defendants and two companies (one belonging to each of these defendants) and the dissolution of five companies.

Another case related to ‘Operation Mirror’ has also been ongoing at the Beja Court since 15 December 2025, also focusing on the exploitation of immigrant workers in Alentejo.

This other case involves 34 defendants, including 22 individuals and 12 companies (there was one more, but in the first session, the panel of judges decided to separate it into a separate case).