Latest news and stories about police conduct in government in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
The Public Prosecutor has appealed the suspended sentence of the PSP officer involved in the fatal shooting of Odair Moniz, arguing that the act was intentional and warrants imprisonment and dismissal from the force.
The trial concerning the death of Odaír Moniz reaches its final phase at the Sintra Court, with closing arguments set to commence following the testimony of a final PJ inspector.
At issue are public crimes, which include abuse of power, qualified offenses against physical integrity, aggravated coercion, and kidnapping.
After António José Seguro and Luís Montenegro expressed their dissatisfaction with the images of police charges and housing rights protests, Mariana Vieira da Silva laments the timing chosen by Belém and São Bento, arguing that the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister “reacted too late” to the actions of the PSP.
An open letter signed by more than 400 lawyers accuses the police of resorting to the disproportionate use of force at housing demonstrations in Porto and Lisbon last weekend. The The post More than 400 lawyers challenge PSP actions at housing protests appeared first on Portugal Resident.
Ricardo Sá Fernandes, lawyer for protesters detained during the demonstrations in Rossio, comments on the police charges against those protesting against the housing crisis.
For Isabel Mendes Lopes, António José Seguro should have been clearer and faster to condemn the alleged police violence during the demonstrations in Lisbon and Porto. The LIVRE spokesperson considers that the President was too cautious.
President of the Republic, António José Seguro (PS), has finally broken his silence regarding images of police intervention during protests for the right to housing, which resulted in dozens of injuries and arrests in Lisbon and Porto on Sunday morning. In statements to the press on Tuesday, October 27, the head of state criticized the footage of the operation and ensured he has been 'active' and 'vigilant', advocating for dialogue as an alternative to violence. 'I did not like what I saw in the recent images, particularly in Lisbon last Saturday. And since seven in the morning that Sunday, I have been constantly attentive, concerned, gathering information, and demanding reports from those responsible. That is the role of the President of the Republic,' stated Seguro, adding that he addressed the issue during Monday's meeting with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. 'I did not like what I saw, and I am convinced most Portuguese people feel the same. Because these are not normal images for a consolidated democracy,' he reiterated. The President emphasized that Portugal has a culture of dialogue, 'not a culture of violence or confrontation,' and argued that the right to protest must coexist with respect for the law. When asked about potential disproportionality in police conduct, Seguro avoided drawing conclusions, referring the assessment to ongoing inquiries. 'That is what the results of the inquiry will determine. And I hope it is swift. Not one of those inquiries that drags on forever,' he replied.
The Ombudsman has urgently requested information from the PSP regarding the police charges that took place on Sunday morning against demonstrators camped out in Praça D. Pedro IV in Lisbon and Praça D. João I in Porto.
The Ombudsman has urgently requested information from the PSP regarding the police crackdown early Sunday morning on protesters camping at Praça D. Pedro IV in Lisbon and Praça D. João I in Porto. In a statement released on its website this Monday, the institution noted that the Ombudsman...
In a statement, the Ombudswoman adds that she has requested a set of information and documents regarding the police operations from last Sunday morning in Lisbon and Porto from the national directorate of the PSP. We are updating all information regarding the housing protests here.
The General Inspectorate of Internal Administration (IGAI) has opened an investigation following the police interventions that took place early Sunday morning at Rossio in Lisbon and Praça D. João I in Porto. In a response sent to Lusa, the IGAI explained that, following publicly released news and footage, it was determined that an investigation should be opened.
In the document, it also deems the silence of the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic regarding a situation that demands clarification and accountability as 'especially incomprehensible'.
After Neves stated that he only saw “a baton”, the Ministry clarified that the minister meant to refer to the use of batons “in a specific situation” in Lisbon. The injuries are a “consequence” of the PSP’s actions.
The Lisbon Camp movement accuses the Public Security Police (PSP) of using “disproportionate” violence during demonstrations at Rossio. While spokespeople for the camp claim police brutally assaulted peaceful protesters, the police union and the PSP argue that officers showed tolerance and were forced to intervene after protesters resisted orders and engaged in violent behaviour. The operation, which aimed to remove tents from public spaces, resulted in multiple injuries and dozens of arrests across Lisbon and Porto, sparking further protests planned for the coming days.
According to the Ministry, the operations took place “after successive contact with the protesters”
The Lisbon Court of Appeal considers that the decision to dismiss the case was not sufficiently justified.
The court did not find it proven that Rita Rodrigues insulted the two officers, who also accused her of attempting to prevent the arrest of a street vendor. The officers are currently imprisoned due to the Rato case.
The appeal argues that if a sentence is to be imposed, it should be 'lower'. Regarding compensation, the defence for officer Bruno Pinto argues that if it is to be paid, it should be charged to the State.
The family of Odair Moniz has appealed the sentence that convicted police officer Bruno Pinto for the death of the Cape Verdean man. The appeal, filed by lawyer José Semedo Fernandes, challenges the court's assessment of evidence and the legal reasoning, specifically contesting the finding of 'excessive self-defence' and arguing for a conviction based on direct intent. The family seeks an effective prison sentence of over five years, arguing that the current suspended sentence of three years and six months is insufficient given the gravity of the facts, the use of a firearm by an officer on duty, and the failure to adhere to police protocols regarding the use of force. The appeal also requests an increase in compensation for non-pecuniary damages to at least 50,000 euros per family member.
Bruno Pinto was sentenced to three and a half years of suspended imprisonment. The decision comes despite the sentence not yet being final, as the Public Prosecutor's Office has appealed.
In another bizarre twist in the already bizarre story of a young PSP officer condemned for ‘an excess of self defence’ which left an unarmed civilian shot dead in the The post PSP agent handed suspended sentence for killing unarmed civilian returns to work appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The prosecutor states that there are still suspects, mostly PSP officers, to be detained and subjected to coercive measures, and that additional interrogations of the defendants are also required.
A witness to the homicide of Pedro Almeida used social media to make accusations. Disciplinary proceedings may be initiated.
The minor who committed the homicide went to the police station 15 days ago, but the complaint was rejected. He was told to call back later during business hours.
The Public Prosecution Service is pushing for an effective prison sentence and the dismissal from the Public Security Police (PSP) of officer Bruno Pinto, who has already returned to duty. This is detailed in the appeal filed regarding the case of Odair Moniz, a resident of Cova da Moura killed during a police operation in 2024. According to Expresso, prosecutor Pedro Pereira argues that the officer acted with 'direct intent' to kill the victim, completely rejecting the claim of self-defence. In June, the Sintra Court sentenced Bruno Pinto to a three-and-a-half-year suspended prison sentence and allowed him to return to his duties. The prosecutor argues that the officer's actions demonstrate a grave abuse of his position and that someone unable to control their impulses in such a demanding profession cannot maintain the trust required of a PSP officer. The appeal will now be reviewed by the Lisbon Court of Appeal.
The victim identified the officers who beat him at the Rato Police Station through photographs and a police lineup. Only one of the four identified individuals was charged by the Public Prosecutor's Office.
Appeals court judges highlighted the “disrespect for their duties” and the “inability to exercise restraint” of the defendants, all of whom are officers from the Rato and Bairro Alto stations in Lisbon.
Hundreds of people marched through central Lisbon this evening to protest against the suspended sentence handed to a PSP police officer convicted of shooting dead Cape Verdean chef Odair Moniz. The post Hundreds rally in Lisbon over suspended sentence for policeman who killed Odair Moniz appeared first on Portugal Resident.
Luís Carrilho acknowledged that this is a serious case due to the involvement of a PSP officer, stating that “police officers have more responsibility” and maintained that the police force has “a very strict code.”
