PJ Director Acknowledges Document Breach
Lisbon, April 22, 2025 (Lusa) - The director of the Judicial Police (PJ), Luís Neves, admitted today that a version of the Annual Internal Security Report (RASI), which included data about extremism, had been used as a "working basis".
"Unfortunately, there was a breach of a document that was confidential. It should not have happened; it was a working basis," stated Neves during the ceremony for 113 new PJ inspectors in Lisbon.
Importance of Confidentiality
Accompanied by the Minister of Justice, Rita Alarcão Júdice, Neves emphasized the need to respect confidentiality regarding discussions and decisions made in meetings. The Minister declined to comment on the confidential report until it is officially published, stressing that "there are several levels of sharing" among criminal police agencies.
Missing Sections in RASI 2024
The controversy revolves around the absence of pages 35 to 39 from the 2024 RASI, which were omitted from the version sent to the Assembly of the Republic on April 1. These pages contained information regarding extremism and hybrid threats, warning of the presence of an international extremist organization in Portugal, which is classified as terrorist in several countries.
The preliminary report noted that this organization hosts events, including musical gatherings, that serve as recruitment and funding methods for propaganda materials.
Clarifications from Security Officials
On April 15, the Secretary-General of the Internal Security System confirmed that the version accessed by journalists was one of several working drafts that underwent adjustments based on contributions from approximately 30 entities over two months.
Patrícia Barão highlighted that the final RASI 2024 report contains explicit references to political extremism in the national situation analysis section, specifically on pages 30 and 31, aligning with contributions from the Portuguese Republic’s Information System (SIRP).
Unusual Presentation of the RASI
Typically, the RASI is presented after the Council of Internal Security meeting by the Secretary-General of the SSI, alongside the Ministers of Internal Administration and Justice. However, this year, it was Prime Minister Luís Montenegro who addressed the press on March 31, without revealing the final document and only responding to one journalist's question.
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