Portuguese judge orders release of those detained corruption probe

A Lisbon judge ordered on Monday that all five people detained last week for alleged corruption and influence-peddling, including the departing Portuguese prime minister's former chief of staff, be released from custody, the court said. They are still suspects in the investigation into alleged illegalities in the government's handling of lithium and hydrogen projects, as well as a large-scale data centre.

The probe has led to the resignation of Prime Minister Antonio Costa, who is the target of a related investigation and a snap election being called for March 10.