13-Year-Old Child Involved in Protest
A 13-year-old child was among the aggressors identified by the PSP (Public Security Police) during an unauthorized protest at Largo de São Domingos in Lisbon on April 25th. According to Diário de Notícias, this minor is one of the eight individuals identified by the police, who believe he may have been brought to the protest by his father or another adult.
Tensions Escalate During Protest
On the same day, after the police denied permission for the far-right demonstration and it was prohibited by the city council, the area witnessed moments of significant tension, leading to police charges and aggression, including the throwing of objects, which necessitated police intervention. Among the suspects was the young boy, who was seen in footage kicking antifascist protesters.
Concerns Over Radicalization
The latest Annual Report on Internal Security (RASI) indicated that intelligence services and the Judiciary Police have identified children and young people in Portugal being recruited by neo-Nazi and Islamic radical groups online. The report noted that the far-right has gained more traction in Portugal from the 2022 elections to 2024, particularly through street protests and the dissemination of extremist content online, which has the potential to reach a diverse audience socioeconomically and generationally.
Arrests Made
During the afternoon of April 25th, the PSP made three arrests, including Rui Fonseca e Castro, a former judge and president of the Ergue-te party, who refused to end the unauthorized protest, and Mário Machado, a neo-Nazi activist and leader of Grupo 1143.
Additionally, Hugo Loureiro, known as 'Fanfas' and a close associate of Fernando Madureira, was also present at the unauthorized protest in Lisbon. A supporter of FC Porto, Loureiro is one of the defendants in the Operation Pretorian. During a search of his residence, a 6.35 mm firearm with ammunition was found in the trunk of his car next to a tire.
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