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
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.
The Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária) is Portugal’s national criminal investigation force that handles serious crimes such as homicide, organised crime, corruption and major fraud. It conducts criminal inquiries alongside prosecutors, so if you are involved in or affected by a serious criminal case in Portugal the PJ leads investigative work and consular assistance may be helpful.
