The GNR command states that, if the suspicions are proven, “it will do everything” to punish the soldiers. “Confirming the suspicions that led to his arrest, with practices that violate the most elementary principles and values that dictate the conduct of Guard soldiers as servants of the Law, the National Republican Guard will do everything to ensure that the perpetrators are held criminally responsible, collaborating with all commitment and loyalty, with the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Judiciary Police”, he reiterates.
The GNR cites an excerpt from a statement from the Central Department of Investigation and Criminal Action (DCIAP) about the investigation. “(…) in exchange for economic compensation – outside of their respective professional skills and in violation of the duties to which they are obliged due to the exercise of public functions –, they have exercised control and surveillance of foreign workers. These suspects also threatened those citizens, giving them to understand that complaining to the authorities would not be a viable alternative to react to the abuses of which they were and/or are being subjected.”
He further points out that he is also attentive with regard to “the presumption of innocence that must be safeguarded at all times, and taking into account that the respective criminal process is under judicial secrecy”. He further highlights that he provided “collaboration and support from the Republican National Guard, in carrying out the arrests and presenting the detainees for the first judicial interrogation”.
PSP reaffirms that agent is on “prolonged leave”
According to a statement sent by the PSP, the “police officer in question was unarmed and on prolonged leave (14 months ago)”. The information had already been provided to Lusa. Again, he explains that the agent is “currently being detained under the custody of the PSP, in provisional detention cells suitable for this purpose, so that he can subsequently be presented by the PJ to the competent Judicial Authority”.
He further highlights that he is still awaiting information on the indictment. “The PSP awaits concrete knowledge of what happened, so as soon as we have news about the crimes for which the aforementioned police officer is accused (information that we do not yet have), appropriate disciplinary and preventive procedures will be developed”, he highlights.
Like the GNR, it “repudiates” the possible involvement of PSP professionals in criminal conduct. “As a public institution responsible for defending the rights, freedoms and guarantees of citizens, and for protecting the community, the Public Security Police vehemently repudiates any conduct, internal or external, that constitutes a flagrant violation of these principles”, it states.
It also states that “a complaint had already been communicated by the Beja District Command of the PSP to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, in December 2023, regarding suspicions that fit into the criminal offenses now being investigated and fought in the Beja area”. He explains that “the PSP is, and rightly so, one of the most scrutinized and inspected institutions in our Rule of Law. Even though it is difficult to prevent all deviant situations, internally we will do everything we can to prevent them and to guarantee respect for fundamental rights, with commitment, trust and proximity to all citizens”.
It reiterates that the PSP’s values are “legality, impartiality, proportionality and respect for human rights” and that “compliance with legal principles and full respect for the rights, freedoms and guarantees of all citizens is an obligation of the police and the Police”.
Again, “the PSP thus repudiates any and all forms of disrespect and violation, whether of legal precepts or ethical principles, so within our competences of prevention, monitoring and supervision, we will do everything we can to put an end to them, internally and externally, and to ensure that behaviors such as those now reported are an absolute exception”.
Regarding trust in the institution, he highlights that “the PSP is an essential pillar of public security in Portugal. The population’s trust is essential for our work. We will continue to invest in training, supervision and the culture of transparency and demand that characterizes a democratic Police, at the service of citizens”.
amanda.lima@dn.pt