Leiria, Portugal
Latest news and stories from Óbidos.
A GNR operation in Óbidos led to the arrest of two suspects and the removal of elderly people at risk, as part of an investigation into mistreatment.
The GNR arrested two women on Tuesday, April 28, in Olho Marinho, Óbidos, for suspected mistreatment of the elderly. The suspects, aged 27 and 51, were investigated by the Leiria NIAVE unit following the closure of an illegal care home in Peniche in July 2025. During the operation, police seized evidence and identified two additional elderly individuals in poor conditions, one of whom required hospitalisation. The suspects, who have prior criminal records for similar offences, are awaiting their first judicial interrogation at the Leiria Court.
The detainees are repeat offenders for this type of crime. The GNR found five elderly people who had to be relocated to family members or other institutions.
The investigation began in July 2025, when the care home was closed, and at the time, three elderly people were removed from the premises and sent to family members and licensed institutions.
Until Sunday, Óbidos once again establishes itself as a territory of departure and encounter with the holding of another edition of the Latitudes Festival – Literature and Travelers.
National and international authors will be featured across a programme of around 60 initiatives, participating in literary talks, workshops, concerts, and performances.
The municipality assures that it is “permanently monitoring the evolution of the situation.”
The homicide is believed to have occurred on the day the estate agent disappeared. A suspect has been detained who is said to have had a close relationship with the victim.
There are also significant losses in the agricultural sector. Some farmers report losses of hundreds of tonnes of produce and tens of thousands of euros.
The man's house was seriously damaged.
With thousands of visitors in Óbidos at this time, the GNR stepped up patrols with awareness campaigns and enforcement checks. Authorities are on the lookout for potential pickpockets.
