Navio Mondego Incident: 13 Military Personnel Charged with Insurbordination in Portugal

Serious Charges Against Mondego Crew

The Public Prosecutor's Office has announced that 13 military personnel from the Mondego Naval Base have been charged with insubordination due to their refusal to board the ship on March 11, 2023. This incident occurred during a mission intended to monitor a Russian vessel north of Porto Santo Island in the Madeira archipelago.

On that day, four sergeants and nine sailors cited security concerns as their reason for not boarding, leading to significant disciplinary actions. The Navy reported the event to the Military Judicial Police in Lisbon, which initiated a criminal investigation. Subsequently, disciplinary procedures were also undertaken.

Initially, the Navy imposed suspension penalties on the 11 crew members involved. However, the Central Administrative Court of the South later overturned these penalties, creating a complex legal scenario for those involved.

This case highlights the challenges faced by the military in balancing operational demands with the safety and security concerns of its personnel. For further details, refer to the official statement from the Public Prosecutor's Office.