Lisbon Police Officers Face Serious Charges for Brutal Acts
In a shocking turn of events, two young police officers from Lisbon are now facing serious charges. They are accused of torturing homeless people and migrants. What makes this even worse is that they shared images of their cruel actions online with other officers. This has sparked a wider investigation into the police force.
The Charges
The two officers, both in their 20s, were arrested last July and are still in custody. They are charged with:
- Torture
- Cruelty
- Abusing their power
One of them is also accused of:
- Rape
- Robbery
- Forgery
The charges come from a detailed indictment signed by a prosecutor in Lisbon.
Horrifying Incident
One of the incidents described in the indictment is particularly horrifying. The officers allegedly:
- Beat up a Moroccan immigrant inside a police station for hours.
- Forced him to kiss their boots while one of them shouted, "Welcome to Portugal!" in English.
The prosecutor noted that the victims were chosen because they were vulnerable and couldn't fight back. This shows that the violence was pure and unnecessary.
Official Response
The Interior Ministry has expressed deep regret over the officers' behavior. They stated that such actions do not represent the general conduct of police professionals. The ministry has also opened a separate inquiry to investigate other officers. This is a critical step in ensuring that justice is served and that such behavior is not tolerated.
Amnesty International's Stance
Amnesty International's Portuguese branch has also weighed in on the issue. They have received information about more cases of torture. The group highlighted that the officers' sharing of images and messages online shows a sense of impunity. However, they welcomed the fact that the crimes were reported from within the law enforcement community.
Amnesty International has called for:
- An external and independent police supervision agency to be set up.
- Installing more cameras in police stations, patrol cars, and on officers themselves.
These measures could help prevent such incidents in the future.
