Latest news and stories about police conduct in Portugal for expats and residents.
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Daniel Soares denies the police version of events and alleges that the officers' behaviour changed as soon as they became aware of his homosexuality.
Daniel Soares denies the police version of events and alleges that the officers' behaviour changed as soon as they became aware of his homosexuality.
Two additional PSP officers testified in court this Wednesday, March 11, that they saw a knife near the body of Odair Moniz, who was killed by a police officer in Amadora in 2024, adding that they did not mention it to anyone at the time. André Silva, who arrived at the Cova da Moura neighbourhood after Bruno Pinto—the officer currently on trial for homicide—had shot the Cape Verdean citizen twice, stated that the priority was to save a life. The officer noted the knife had a black handle but could not specify its size or blade type. Another officer corroborated this account, though she could not confirm if the object she saw was the same one seized as evidence. Witnesses have previously stated that Moniz was unarmed when killed. The trial continues on March 25, 2026, at the Sintra Central Criminal Court, with Bruno Pinto facing a potential sentence of eight to 16 years in prison.
The trial of Bruno Pinto continues with testimony from officers. The prosecutor questioned the officers' concern with the security perimeter but not with preserving the crime scene.
Odair Moniz was shot and killed by PSP officer Bruno Pinto on October 21, 2024, after attempting to flee from the PSP and resisting arrest following a traffic violation.
The Inspectorate-General also recommended that officials at the Bairro Alto police station verify detainee records. It conducted surprise inspections following allegations of torture against vulnerable citizens.
The General Inspectorate of Internal Administration (IGAI) will fast-track the disciplinary proceedings concerning seven Public Security Police (PSP) officers.
According to a source from the Public Prosecutor's Office, the authorities will appeal the decision not to try the police officers accused of lying in the case of Odair Moniz's death. PSP officers claimed that Odair was carrying a knife.
The two PSP officers accused by the Public Prosecution Service of perjury were cleared on 16 February due to a lack of evidence
On 16 February, the Central Criminal Investigation Court cleared two PSP officers, who had been accused by the Public Prosecution Service of perjury, due to a lack of evidence.
The Investigative Court decided to drop charges against the two officers whom the Public Prosecution Service had accused of lying. The judge ruled that they had been questioned as witnesses and that this procedure was against the law.
Seven police officers detained this week are being investigated for torture and other crimes at the Rato and Bairro Alto police stations in Lisbon. The preventive detention measures were announced by the Public Security Police (PSP) on Saturday, March 7. The decision to keep these officers in custody is based on the risk of “continued criminal activity” among other factors. The investigation has now led to nine officers being held preventively, facing charges of “serious torture, completed and attempted rape, abuse of power, possession of prohibited weapons, and serious and qualified bodily harm.” The PSP has also initiated seven disciplinary proceedings against the officers involved. The PSP expressed its “repudiation” of any criminal behaviour by its agents and stated it would take all necessary measures to prevent such actions in the future. The investigation began within the PSP itself, following reports of the case, which includes video and photographic evidence of the alleged assaults shared in messaging groups. The Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, emphasized that there is no place in Portuguese security forces for illegitimate violence or violations of fundamental rights, and that any indications of such behaviour will be thoroughly investigated and punished according to the law.
A young person from São Tomé who was barred at an airport claims they were assaulted by officers. The PSP (Public Security Police) says officers encountered resistance and used proportionate measures when handling the situation.
The now chief inspector of the PJ admitted to firing while pursuing a group of young people who, according to the prosecution, were peering into his garden.
The Public Prosecutor's Office says the minor was chased and hit by two bullets after peering into the inspector's back garden. The accused claims it was an attempted robbery and insists he fired at the ground.
The Minister of Internal Administration denied today that the abuse cases involving police officers are systematic, but acknowledged the existence of a 'culture of violence', particularly among young officers, and called for greater oversight at police stations.
The Ministry of Internal Administration has decided to initiate disciplinary actions against police officers who are suspected of exploiting immigrants.
