Latest news and stories about police misconduct in Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
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A woman and a chief are among the suspects. They were questioned at the Lisbon DIAP, but are not formal defendants.
Investigation into crimes of violence and torture at the Rato police station may have consequences for 70 more police officers.
Seven PSP officers from the Rato station were arrested on March 4th on suspicion of several crimes, including severe torture, consummated and attempted rape, and abuse of power.
Footage of the crimes was shared by the staff. Colleagues asked suspects to send the files.
Footage of the crimes was shared by the staff. Colleagues asked suspects to send the files.
This article reports on the arrest of seven Portuguese PSP agents suspected of serious crimes, including torture, abuse of power, and illegal detention, linked to incidents at the Rato police station in Lisbon. The suspects are in preventive detention while investigations continue, which have also implicated two other officers previously detained. The case has raised concerns about police misconduct, with allegations of violence against vulnerable populations and sharing of incriminating material among officers. The Minister of Internal Administration emphasized that most PSP officers serve with integrity and that any misconduct will be thoroughly investigated, highlighting the importance of maintaining public trust and accountability within law enforcement.
The article reports that Portugal's national police director, Luís Carrilho, affirmed a zero-tolerance policy for police misconduct, emphasizing that no one is above the law, including police officers. He addressed recent allegations of severe abuse and violence at the Rato police station in Lisbon, which led to the detention of seven officers involved in serious crimes such as torture, assault, and abuse of power, primarily targeting vulnerable individuals like drug addicts, foreigners, and homeless persons. These incidents, some of which involved filming and sharing abuses via WhatsApp, are being thoroughly investigated by judicial authorities. The police leadership acknowledges these cases as exceptions and reaffirms their commitment to maintaining public trust and safety in Portugal.
SOS Racismo says a young São Toméan, Samuel Edi, remains detained at Lisbon Airport “without knowing the factual or legal reasons,” and alleges he was “brutally assaulted” by police. The PSP rejects the claims, denying any unprovoked assaults or mistreatment. The case reflects a direct dispute between an advocacy group and law enforcement, raising questions about transparency, detainee rights, and the need for an independent inquiry or clear official documentation to establish what occurred.
During a parliamentary debate about the cases at the Rato police station and the alleged involvement of a PSP officer in the neo-Nazi group 1143, the minister rejected that abuses by police are systemic but acknowledged a negative trend.
The case concerns an indictment by the Public Prosecutor's Office that “describes a series of violent practices” carried out by PSP officers on duty at police stations in Lisbon.
Some PSP officers suspected of involvement in violent assaults on detainees at the Rato and Bairro Alto police stations in Lisbon remain on duty despite being under investigation. ISCTE researcher Otávio Raposo analyses the situation.
Authorities admit that, without sufficient evidence or identification of all those involved, the officers remain in post while the investigation continues.
The Public Prosecutor's indictment is 122 pages long and describes the assaults in detail.
The Ministry of Internal Administration says it deeply regrets these behaviours, as well as any actions that violate the rights, freedoms and guarantees of citizens.
The Public Prosecutor's Office alleges that more than ten officers assaulted detainees at two Lisbon police stations and that images of alleged torture were shared among over 70 police officers. Two people have been formally identified as suspects in the alleged torture inquiry, and the prosecution's file describes ten particularly violent assaults. The allegations raise serious criminal and human-rights concerns and the investigation is ongoing.
The incidents are said to have taken place at the Largo do Rato police station in Lisbon and involve violent assaults and sexual abuse.
