Latest news and stories about public safety in government in Porto, Portugal for expats and residents.
The Judicial Police and Public Prosecutor's Office have dismantled a corruption network involving 81 contracts at Águas de Gaia, with 13 suspects detained for allegedly accepting bribes in the form of luxury trips, gifts, and home renovations.
Participation in domestic violence rehabilitation programmes has risen by 8.9% in early 2025, prompting the Ministry of Justice to launch a recidivism study and establish a specialised training academy for prison staff.
In the past three years, ten patients have tragically died while awaiting heart surgery at Santo António Hospital in Porto, raising serious concerns about the efficiency and safety of the public healthcare system.
The Porto region is set to invest €820,000 in the refurbishment of two health centres. The Vale Formoso Health Unit will receive €526,000 for a four-month renovation, while the Foz Health Centre will be upgraded with an investment of €297,000, expected to take 100 days to complete.
A man wanted by German authorities for assaulting and raping a woman on three occasions in 2023 has been detained by Portugal’s Judicial Police in Porto. He will be presented to the Porto Court of Appeal as Portuguese authorities consider the German request and possible extradition; under the charges he could face up to 15 years’ imprisonment. The arrest underscores cross‑border cooperation in serious sexual‑violence cases and the next legal steps will determine whether he is surrendered to Germany or prosecuted in Portugal.
It was in August of last year that the former GNR captain from Fafe, his wife, and his brother were caught by the Judicial Police after another shipment arrived at the Port of Leixões, containing over 1.3 tonnes of cocaine hidden inside animal hides.
The Minister of Internal Administration says that firefighter associations can rest assured regarding expenses during the wildfire season. The government is prepared to look into other financing solutions.
House search carried out as part of an investigation into domestic violence.
Público highlights this Friday that the State is prioritizing the clearing of 19% of the forest affected by storms in the central region. Expresso reports that intelligence services want access to suspect metadata and are pushing for a constitutional review. Jornal de Notícias reports that the Porto IPO is one of the public buildings containing asbestos awaiting removal, despite air quality tests showing no contamination. Correio da Manhã states that Pinto da Costa's accounts were emptied in the months leading up to his death, with the justice system seeking explanations from his widow, Cláudia Campo. Diário de Notícias notes that the National Teacher Competition placed only 213 new teachers. Negócios and Eco discuss the SpaceX IPO, questioning whether the company's valuation is justified given its financial losses and debt.
The Porto Court of Appeal upheld the conviction of these five defendants, with prison sentences ranging from two years and six months to three years.
Approximately 200 protesters gathered in Porto to voice their opposition to hate crimes occurring within Portugal.
PS elected officials were involved in shoving and shouting with members of the opposition parties: PSD, Chega, and CDS.
The resignation of the former socialist president, Isaac Braga, who is suspected of misusing municipal funds for personal purposes, triggered the disturbances.
The resignation of the former socialist president, Isaac Braga, who is suspected of misusing municipal funds for personal purposes, triggered the disturbances.
There were four suspects awaiting the court's decision regarding coercive measures. Two of the defendants were remanded in custody, while the other two were placed under house arrest with electronic monitoring. The case involves an investigation into an alleged corruption scheme at the municipal company Águas de Gaia (ADGaia).
António José Vilela analyses the comments made by Pedro Duarte, who called for increased policing against drug trafficking in Porto, in contrast to the approximately 400 officers mobilised for Operation Imergente, which targets an alleged network of favouritism involving the PS.
Gustavo Silva states that high-profile operations do not divert necessary personnel from other areas, contrary to what the Mayor of Porto claimed on Sunday night. For the former PJ inspector, there was an attempt to mix politics with justice.
Henrique Machado, Justice editor at CNN Portugal, explains that it is “absolute nonsense” to suggest that the 400 officers mobilised for Operation Imergente could have been fighting drug trafficking in Porto instead.
The Mayor of Porto calls for more police to combat drug trafficking in the city. Security expert Paulo Dias points out that there must be 'community policing' and questions 'where are the promised 200 officers for Porto'.
Socialists also suggested carrying out an audit and creating a Supervisory Board at the company Águas de Gaia.
The mayor of the city of Porto criticised the scale of the “Imergente” operation, suggesting that it is “at least as important” to pay attention to other problems.
The Mayor of Porto issued a warning on this Sunday's episode of O Princípio da Incerteza.
Fires in the Porto and Faro regions are worrying authorities. Also in this news bulletin, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa does not comment on Operation Imergente, which targets the PS.
A section of a newspaper or publication featuring letters sent by readers to the editor.
It is ironic that the buzzword in the corridors of power is to conceal.
A Chinese-led operation is utilising warehouse facilities within Portugal for the cultivation and packaging of cannabis products.
Corruption suspects at the company 'Águas de Gaia' wanted to continue rigging contracts despite the arrival of a consultant at the firm.
The Public Prosecutor's Office has requested pre-trial detention for four of the 14 defendants in Operation 'Murky Waters', which is investigating an alleged corruption scheme at the municipal company Águas de Gaia (ADGaia), according to a document accessed by Lusa today.
The Court of Auditors deems the municipality's substitution in paying the officials' obligations illegal. The case concerns the process related to the dissolution of TecMaia in 2016.
Court of Auditors decision requires both to repay 720 thousand euros to the municipal coffers.
