Witnesses told the PJ there were no grounds for animosity between the two researchers during their parallel careers at Instituto Superior Técnico. The investigation has been returned to the FBI.
PJ: motive for the murder of physicist is not in Portugal
Tuesday, 23 December 2025RSS
Context & Explainers
The PJ (Polícia Judiciária) is Portugal's national criminal investigation police agency, founded in 1945. Operating under the Ministry of Justice and supervised by the Public Ministry (prosecutors), the PJ is a "higher criminal police body" specializing in serious and complex crimes. Mission: The PJ assists judicial and prosecuting authorities by investigating terrorism, organized crime, homicide, kidnapping, drug trafficking, corruption, cybercrime, financial crime, and money laundering. It conducts forensic examinations, operates Portugal's Interpol and Europol liaison offices, and maintains specialized units including the National Counterterrorism Unit and National Anti-Corruption Unit. Difference from PSP/GNR: While PSP (civilian urban police) and GNR (military rural police) focus on preventive policing, public order, and investigating minor crimes, the PJ exclusively handles serious crime investigation requiring specialized technical and scientific expertise. PSP and GNR report to the Ministry of Internal Affairs; PJ reports to the Ministry of Justice. PJ officers receive higher pay and prestige but face greater operational risk.
Instituto Superior Técnico (the engineering school of the University of Lisbon, known as IST) is Portugal's largest engineering and technology school, founded in 1911, and a leading center for applied research. IST said it carried out a hypersonic test whose speed would cover mainland Portugal north–south in just over five minutes, showing the institute's work in advanced aerospace research.
