Unrest Erupts in Lisbon Following Police Shooting
Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, has witnessed a second night of violent riots, ignited by the tragic death of Odair Moniz, a 43-year-old Cape Verdean man who was shot and killed by a police officer late on Sunday night. The unrest predominantly unfolded in areas such as Amadora, where confrontations escalated, leading to the burning of bins and even public buses.
In a statement, Portugal’s police force (PSP) reported, “Today, regrettably, we once again witnessed situations of disorder within the Zambujal neighbourhood… with the theft of a Carris bus that was subsequently set on fire.” As the situation intensified, the PSP deployed additional officers to the region, making at least one arrest for possession of materials intended for arson.
The PSP characterized the disturbances as a “serious episode of urban violence.” In response to the escalating chaos, police reinforcements were dispatched to various locations deemed “Sensitive Urban Zones” in the vicinity. By the early hours of the morning, attempts to set fire to a petrol station in Amadora were reported, but fortunately, the incident did not result in an explosion.
Riots were also recorded in the nearby municipality of Oeiras, where gunfire was reported, and another bus was set ablaze, along with a smaller vehicle and numerous rubbish bins. In Sintra, a projectile was hurled at the police station in Casal de Cambra, although no damage occurred. Meanwhile, disturbances in Damaia saw rioters launching firecrackers and stones onto the streets, setting several bins alight.
In a separate statement, the PSP expressed its strong disapproval of the chaos, asserting that it “repudiates and will not tolerate acts of disorder and destruction perpetrated by criminal groups intent on defying the authority of the state and jeopardizing community safety.”
Three Arrested and Four Injured
Latest updates from the police indicate that three individuals have been arrested in connection with the disturbances. Two police officers sustained injuries in the municipalities of Amadora and Oeiras due to stone-throwing incidents, necessitating hospital treatment for both, with one officer subsequently going on sick leave. Additionally, two passengers on one of the buses that was set ablaze were stabbed, reportedly by the individuals responsible for the theft and arson of the vehicle. Fortunately, both victims are now in stable condition.
Addressing the media, the Minister of Internal Affairs condemned the events as “unacceptable disturbances,” emphasizing that they disrupt “communities going about their normal lives.” Margarida Blasco revealed that the Security Information Service convened an emergency meeting in response to the unrest and is maintaining “permanent contact” with security forces, especially the PSP.
The minister confirmed the arrest of three individuals linked to the riots and assured the public that the government “will do everything possible to ensure that all those involved in these riots are brought to justice.” The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) further announced that an urgent inquiry has been ordered to “ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident involving Public Security Police officers during the police operation.”
The Circumstances Surrounding Odair Moniz’s Death
Regarding the tragic incident, the PSP explained that officers had “intercepted an individual who had been fleeing from the police” in the Alto neighbourhood of Cova da Moura shortly before 6 a.m. on Monday. According to the police, when they approached the suspect, he resisted arrest and attempted to assault them with a weapon. Consequently, “one of the police officers, having exhausted other means and efforts,” used a firearm, resulting in the suspect being shot, “in circumstances that are now under investigation through both criminal and disciplinary inquiries.”
Following the incident, the police stated that “the suspect was promptly assisted at the scene and transported to São Francisco Xavier Hospital,” but sadly succumbed to his injuries. In a subsequent statement, the PSP expressed its regret over Moniz’s death, emphasizing that the matter is currently under investigation by judicial authorities. They also extended their solidarity to the two police officers involved and to all officers engaged in restoring public order in Amadora.
Presidential Response to the Events
Portugal’s President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, has also weighed in on the violence surging through the Lisbon metropolitan area. In a note published on the presidency’s website, he declared that he has been “closely monitoring the events of the last 48 hours” and has been in communication with government officials and the mayors of Amadora and Oeiras. The president highlighted three essential points, asserting that “security and public order are democratic values whose preservation must be guaranteed, particularly through the role of the security forces.”
Furthermore, he emphasized that this guarantee must respect the principles of the democratic rule of law, which include the rights, freedoms, and responsibilities of citizens. Rebelo de Sousa concluded that Portuguese society, “despite the social, economic, and cultural issues and inequalities that still plague it, is a generally peaceful society that wishes to remain so, devoid of instability or, much less, violence.”
On Tuesday evening, a gathering took place outside Moniz’s residence in the Zambujal neighbourhood of Amadora, where dozens of individuals came to pay their respects. Known affectionately by the nickname “Dá,” Moniz owned and operated a local café, earning the admiration of the community. The vigil and protest were organized by a local residents’ association. “People were incredulous,” remarked Gilberto Pinto, president of the association. Residents expressed disbelief regarding the PSP’s account of Moniz’s death and warned authorities that local anger could escalate. “This will snowball; a feeling of injustice has taken hold,” Pinto cautioned.
