Public Prosecutor's Office Investigates Police Interventions During Housing Protests in Lisbon and Porto

The Public Prosecutor's Office has opened inquiries to investigate police interventions during housing demonstrations in Lisbon and Porto. These investigations focus on police actions that occurred on October 15, October 20, October 25, and November 1. The inquiries aim to examine the legality and conduct of law enforcement during these specific demonstrations.

Scope of the investigations

The inquiries conducted by the Public Prosecutor's Office cover multiple dates of unrest. These dates include October 15, October 20, October 25, and November 1. During the early hours of October 25, the Public Security Police used batons and dogs to disperse housing protests in both Lisbon and Porto. Additionally, video footage shows the Public Security Police using tasers against protesters in Porto, according to reports from Jornal de Notícias.

The Inspectorate-General for Internal Administration has also opened an administrative process. This process is intended to evaluate procedures followed during two police interventions that resulted in injuries. While the Public Prosecutor's Office focuses on legal inquiries, the Inspectorate-General for Internal Administration aims to assess the administrative conduct of the officers involved.

Detentions and injuries

The demonstrations resulted in several arrests and injuries to both protesters and law enforcement officers. On the early morning of November 1, 13 protesters were detained in Lisbon and Porto. During the same period, the Public Security Police reported that 13 police officers were injured in Porto.

The scale of the protests has led to significant legal complications regarding the detention of demonstrators. The Public Prosecutor's Office has deferred legal proceedings for approximately 85 protesters who were detained in Lisbon camps. This decision to pause the legal process is a response to an ongoing legal uncertainty regarding the legality of curfew limits for public gatherings.

Legal context and curfew limits

A central issue in the ongoing legal proceedings is the validity of time limits placed on public gatherings. The Public Security Police cited an August 1974 decree-law as the basis for their actions during the October 25 interventions. This specific decree-law establishes a 00:30 time limit for gatherings.

The Public Prosecutor's Office is currently awaiting a ruling from the Constitutional Court regarding this matter. The court must decide whether the time limit established by the August 1974 decree-law is legally valid. The outcome of this Constitutional Court ruling will determine the legal status of the approximately 85 protesters currently detained in Lisbon camps.

Glossary

• Constitutional Court — The Constitutional Court is the supreme constitutional court of Portugal. It is a completely independent organ that operates independently from the other branches of government.
• Public Prosecutor's Office — The Public Prosecutor's Office is an entity that conducts inquiries to investigate the legality and conduct of law enforcement. It can also defer legal proceedings regarding detained individuals.
• Public Security Police — The Public Security Police is a law enforcement body that uses tools such as batons, dogs, and tasers to disperse protests. It also cites specific decree-laws as the basis for its actions during interventions.