The Judiciary Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) arrested a 24-year-old nursery assistant in Lisbon suspected of abusing four children between the ages of four and six. The investigation began after the school reported the incidents, which allegedly occurred during nap times in April and May.
Judiciary Police arrest suspect for nursery child abuse
Sunday, 17 May 2026AI summary
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.
5 sources
- PJ arrests man suspected of money laundering and card fraudcmjornal.pt ·
- Judiciary Police arrest man suspected of money laundering and card fraudobservador.pt ·
- PJ detains six minors suspected of kidnapping and aggravated robberyNow Canal ·
- PJ arrests suspect in Lisbon for money laundering and bank card abusepublico.pt ·
- PJ arrests assistant suspected of abusing children at a Lisbon nurseryrtp.pt ·
