Overview of the Case
The trial of the anti-vaccine protesters accused of assault and insults against Admiral Gouveia e Melo and Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues is set to proceed. However, the court has decided not to pursue all charges against the defendants.
Court Proceedings
On Friday, the instruction decision was read by Judge Sofia Marinho Pires at the Central Criminal Instruction Court in Lisbon. Out of eight defendants, only four requested the opening of instructions. Notably, two defendants, Anabela Seabra Rodrigues and Sónia Costa, were acquitted of charges related to physical assault against Gouveia e Melo during a protest outside a vaccination center in Odivelas.
Details of the Incidents
The incident in question involved a group of anti-vaccine demonstrators confronting Gouveia e Melo, who was coordinating the vaccination efforts during the pandemic. The judge stated that there was insufficient evidence against the two women regarding the alleged attempted assault.
Charges Against Other Defendants
Other defendants, who did not request an instruction opening, will face trial for the charges brought by the Public Prosecutor's Office. Anabela Rodrigues will be tried for aggravated damage and insults against Ferro Rodrigues, while Sónia Costa faces charges solely for insults.
Public Reaction and Legal Implications
Rodrigues's lawyer expressed satisfaction with the court's decision regarding Gouveia e Melo. The Public Prosecutor's Office has 30 days to appeal this decision, which may not be final. The judge also dismissed claims of nullities in the instruction debate.
Context of the Protests
The accusations stem from incidents during the pandemic, where demonstrators shouted derogatory terms such as "murderer", "genocide", and "pedophile" at the officials involved in the vaccination efforts. The protest in Odivelas occurred in August 2021, and another incident took place near the Parliament a month later, highlighting the tensions surrounding the pandemic measures in Portugal.
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