The new national director of the Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ), Carlos Cabreiro, stated that the agency does not yield to media pressure. His comments follow the high-profile case of an individual held in preventive detention for throwing a Molotov cocktail at a demonstration, who now faces terrorism-related charges. Additionally, the PJ is currently finalizing a multi-year recruitment process to add 150 new inspectors to its staff.

The Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) has arrested Nelson Vassalo, a 39-year-old designer and member of the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS), for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at a March for Life demonstration in Lisbon. The suspect, who reportedly returned to Portugal after living in the United States, is currently under investigation by the National Counter-Terrorism Unit (Unidade Nacional de Combate ao Terrorismo or UNCT) for potential terrorist offences. The PS has suspended the member and launched disciplinary proceedings, stating it does not condone violence.

The National Secretariat ordered the preventive suspension of the suspect, who has been a member of the PS since 2024.

A court in Matosinhos has handed a three-year and six-month suspended prison sentence to a care home owner in Maia for the mistreatment of two elderly residents. The defendant is also required to pay 2,000 euros in compensation to each victim and is prohibited from working in the care sector.

The Public Prosecution Service has archived the inquiry into alleged harassment at the Centre for Social Studies (Centro de Estudos Sociais or CES) of the University of Coimbra. The decision follows the expiration of the six-month legal window for victims to file formal complaints regarding the alleged conduct.

Three former inspectors of the Foreigners and Borders Service (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras or SEF) convicted for the murder of Ihor Homeniuk were released on parole in late March. The decision was confirmed by the Execution of Sentences Court (Tribunal de Execução de Penas or TEP) following their initial nine-year prison sentences.

The Inspectorate-General of Health Activities (Inspeção-Geral das Atividades em Saúde or IGAS) is investigating a doctor from Benavente suspected of charging 1,000 euros to facilitate fraudulent disability pensions. Beneficiaries of the scheme may face criminal charges and be required to return funds received improperly from the state.

A 42-year-old Belgian nurse was arrested by the Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) on suspicion of sexually assaulting an anaesthetised patient at the Beatriz Ângelo Hospital in Loures. The Nursing Association (Ordem dos Enfermeiros) has requested the suspect's identification from the Public Prosecutor's Office to initiate disciplinary proceedings.

The 2025 Annual Internal Security Report (Relatório Anual de Segurança Interna or RASI) indicates that while Portugal remains generally safe, hate crimes have risen by 6.7%. The report also notes a decade-high number of rape reports and expresses concern over the normalization of misogynistic rhetoric and online radicalization. Meanwhile, police authorities reported 19 arrests for domestic violence during the recent Easter period.

Porto Mayor Pedro Duarte announced the closure of ten illegal dwellings in the city, including a basement hidden beneath a souvenir shop on Rua de Santa Catarina. The council identified these sites as exploitative and is offering emergency support to the residents affected. Officials estimate that over 125 similar cases of illegal accommodation may exist throughout the city.

The Judiciary Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) has referred an investigation into a 3.5 million euro fraud scheme to the Public Prosecutor's Office (Ministério Público or MP). The case, which involves nine Brazilian nationals arrested last year, centers on 'CEO Fraud' and 'Invoice Fraud' orchestrated by a transnational criminal organization. Authorities have frozen 418,000 euros and identified 17 victims who lost a combined 1.4 million euros.

The Tax and Customs Authority (Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira or AT) has issued warnings regarding an increase in fraudulent schemes targeting taxpayers during the current income tax (Imposto sobre o Rendimento de Pessoas Singulares or IRS) filing period. Criminals are using the agency's name to send deceptive messages about refunds or outstanding debts to steal personal information.

The Prosecutor-General's Office (Procuradoria-Geral da República or PGR) has issued a warning regarding a new wave of cyber fraud targeting taxpayers. Criminals are sending mass messages via WhatsApp and email falsely claiming that recipients have outstanding debts to the Tax Authority (Autoridade Tributária or AT). Authorities advise citizens to be cautious of these fraudulent requests for payment.

A 57-year-old man died on Monday afternoon after being struck by a train near Moledo in the municipality of Caminha. Rail traffic on the Minho line was suspended for approximately two hours between Caminha and Carreço while emergency services, including the Medical Emergency and Resuscitation Vehicle (Viatura Médica de Emergência e Reanimação or VMER), responded to the scene. An investigation into the circumstances of the accident is underway.

A 20-year-old man was found dead on Sunday after being reported missing at the Idanha-a-Nova dam. Emergency services, including divers from local fire departments and a GNR patrol, conducted a search operation following an alert for a near-drowning incident on Saturday.

The PSP arrested 38 pickpockets between January and March 2026, identifying 78 suspects in total. The police recorded 1,617 incidents during this period and have increased their presence in tourist areas, shopping districts, and public transport hubs as part of the ongoing Easter security operations.

The Food and Economic Safety Authority (Autoridade de Segurança Alimentar e Económica or ASAE) has dismantled two illegal slaughterhouses and seized over two tonnes of meat, primarily sheep and goats. The operation was part of a recent crackdown on clandestine slaughter practices. The authority continues to monitor food safety standards across the country.

The Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) and the National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana or GNR) reported 13 deaths and nearly 2,000 accidents during their respective Easter road safety operations. The GNR recorded ten fatalities, including a family of four, while the PSP reported three deaths in over 1,300 accidents. Authorities also conducted extensive driver inspections, resulting in numerous arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Update: Easter road fatalities rise to 16

The death toll from the Easter road safety operations has risen to at least 16, according to the latest reports from the PSP and GNR. Authorities also noted over 600 drivers were caught speeding and 81 individuals were detained for driving under the influence of alcohol.

A head-on collision involving three vehicles on the IC1 road in Santiago do Cacém resulted in four deaths on Friday. The victims, all members of a German family, included two parents and their two minor children. A 69-year-old individual was also seriously injured and transported by helicopter to a hospital in Lisbon.

The Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) has conducted 713 arrests during its ongoing “Police Always Present: Easter in Safety 2026” operation, which began on March 27. Authorities highlighted 384 road-related crimes, including 201 arrests for drink-driving and 139 for driving without a valid license.

The latest Annual Internal Security Report (Relatório Anual de Segurança Interna or RASI) indicates that while violent and serious crime decreased in Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra, it rose significantly in interior districts like Beja, Vila Real, and Guarda. The report also highlights a sharp increase in crimes related to illegal immigration and a rise in homicides and sexual offenses compared to the previous decade. Police associations have expressed concerns that these official figures may still underrepresent the actual crime situation in the country.

The Minister of Internal Administration (Ministro da Administração Interna) has preventively suspended four National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana or GNR) officers for 90 days. The officers face charges from the Public Prosecutor (Ministério Público) for the alleged kidnapping and assault of three minors in Palmela. The suspension follows a recommendation from the Inspectorate General of Internal Administration (Inspeção-Geral da Administração Interna or IGAI).

A 28-year-old woman was murdered in her home in Castelo de Vide on Saturday in a case being investigated as domestic violence (violência doméstica). The 42-year-old suspect, identified as her ex-partner, died shortly after in a car accident while attempting to flee the scene. Residents should note that the Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) is leading the investigation into the homicide.

Two men in their 30s died on Saturday morning after being struck by a car that veered onto the pavement in Ericeira. The driver of the vehicle was also injured and transported to the Hospital de Santa Maria in Lisbon. Residents should note that the National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana or GNR) is investigating the circumstances of the crash, which occurred near the local fire station.

Hundreds of immigrants, primarily from Nepal, have filed complaints with the Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) regarding forged criminal record certificates (Certificado de Registo Criminal). The Nepalese embassy estimates at least 2,000 victims were scammed by companies promising legal documents for residency applications. Visa holders should note that AIMA has already identified nearly 3,000 applications with fraudulent stamps, which could lead to expulsion.

A court in Vila Nova de Foz Côa ordered pre-trial detention (prisão preventiva) for Cédric Prizzon, a former French police officer suspected of killing his current and former partners. The 42-year-old faces eight charges, including qualified homicide, kidnapping, and domestic violence against his 18-month-old daughter. Prizzon was arrested near Bragança after traveling over 1,000 kilometers from France. Residents should note the suspect is currently held at the Guarda Prison while the investigation continues.

Mariana Fonseca, the former nurse sentenced to 23 years for the 2020 murder of an IT worker in the Algarve, was arrested by Interpol in Jakarta and placed in custody on 5 March as Portuguese authorities prepare extradition. The Judicial Police executed an international arrest warrant after months on the run. Family members of victims and anyone with safety concerns should monitor court and consular updates as extradition procedures proceed.