Minister of Justice Rita Alardão Júdice has rejected claims of lying and collusion following accusations from the Chega party regarding the destruction of chemicals during the tenure of Judiciary Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) director Luís Neves. André Ventura, leader of Chega, has demanded an urgent parliamentary hearing to investigate the matter, while the ministry maintains it is investigating the case in detail.
Justice Minister rejects accusations regarding Judiciary Police
Wednesday, 9 September 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
André Ventura, born January 15, 1983, is a lawyer, academic, and Portugal's most prominent far-right leader. He founded Chega ("Enough") in 2019 after his PSD mayoral campaign attacked the Romani community. Chega surged from 1.3% in 2019 to 22.8% in May 2025, becoming parliament's second-largest party and making Ventura Leader of the Opposition.
His platform emphasizes immigration restrictions, law-and-order policies, constitutional reform, and contains inflammatory anti-Romani rhetoric that has triggered multiple discrimination convictions and investigations. Politically classified as far-right by international media, Ventura cultivates alliances with European far-right figures including Marine Le Pen and Santiago Abascal.
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
- Luís Neves case: Minister of Justice rejects “lies” in the controversy over the destruction of chemicals by the PJexpresso.pt ·
- Ventura accuses Minister of Justice of lying and covering up for Luís Nevesdn.pt ·
- Chega requests urgent parliamentary hearing for the national director of the PJeco.sapo.pt ·
- Transparency Committee to review complaint from its chairman against PS deputycmjornal.pt ·
- Transparency Committee to review Chega's complaintobservador.pt ·
