# Rui Pinto fears life after losing witness protection

> Hacker Rui Pinto warns of assassination risk as he loses Portuguese witness protection.
- Title: Rui Pinto fears life after losing witness protection
- Summary: Hacker Rui Pinto warns of assassination risk as he loses Portuguese witness protection. Portuguese hacker Rui Pinto faces life-threatening danger after…
- Keywords: rui pinto, manchester city, portugal, witness protection, football leaks, fifa president, governance, financial fair play, sports, Rui, Pinto, fears
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cxyvrp78ddvqo
- Published: 2026-10-02T19:26:13.819+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: rui pinto, manchester city, portugal, witness protection, football leaks, fifa president, governance, financial fair play, sports
## Who is Rui Pinto?
Portuguese computer hacker Rui Pinto released confidential football documents that helped trigger Premier League investigation into Manchester City.
## Pinto's leak history
In 2018, Pinto shared documents with German magazine Der Spiegel for investigations into City's finances and alleged breaches of financial fair play rules.
## City's guilty verdict
Manchester City were found guilty of all charges relating to breaches of Premier League financial regulations between 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons, which they have appealed.
## Witness protection end
Pinto became part of Portugal's witness protection programme in 2020 but will lose it on 10 October, leaving him in life-threatening situation with multiple death threats.
## Pinto's legal status
Pinto was convicted in Portugal of illegal data access and attempted extortion, given a four-year suspended sentence after wearing bulletproof vest during 2020 trial.
## Pinto's threats
Pinto warned of assassination risk after losing witness protection, saying he must relocate to undisclosed location for indefinite period due to multiple death threats and serious risk of assassination attempt.
## Key takeaway

Portuguese hacker Rui Pinto faces life-threatening danger after losing witness protection amid death threats and assassination risks.