Police shoot Cape Verde man dead, prompting days of disturbances // Minister praises health effects of wine, warns of ‘excess water’
Police shoot Cape Verde man dead, prompting days of disturbances // Minister praises health effects of wine, warns of ‘excess water’
Portuguese news in English on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
Police shoot Cape Verde man dead, prompting days of disturbances
Hundreds of people have farewelled Odair Moniz, who was shot dead by a police officer in an outer Lisbon suburb, prompting almost a week of unrest, Público reports. The Cape Verdean 43-year-old was shot dead in the early hours of Monday morning in the Amadora neighbourhood of Cova da Moura, Público reports. Friends described the café owner as a peaceful man, liked and respected by everybody and more likely to be a peacemaker or turn his back on conflict than be a part of any confrontation. In reporting the death on Monday, police claimed after crashing into several cars he had fled them and resisted arrest, threatening officers with a knife. The officer, who was indicted on suspicion of murder and placed on leave, fired two shots in the air and two at Moniz’s body.
Officer says Moniz didn’t threaten him with knife
But the PSP agent is said to have told PJ investigative police that while Moniz had a knife, he didn’t threaten him or his partner, Expresso reports. CCTV footage of the confrontation is said to show the Black man with two empty hands in the air while the 22-year-old officer points the barrel of his gun in the air, Diário de Notícias reports. But a justice source told the newspaper there was a moment when Moniz’s arm went down and it wasn’t possible to see what he was holding. A mid-sized knife was found at the scene. Four witnesses told Público they saw Moniz resisting arrest but that he was not violent and did not have a knife. The 43-year-old, who’d been with friends in Cova da Moura, was said to have been returning there after driving to his nearby neighbourhood of Bairro do Zambujal to get food. Police claimed they ordered him to stop after seeing him cross a solid white line but instead fled.
Bins and vehicles burnt in days of disturbances
The shooting prompted days of disturbances across Lisbon’s outer suburbs, which only began to calm down on Thursday night, Reuters reports, in English. Hooded assailants threw stones and set bins on fire again but head of PSP police, Luis Carrilho said the situation was "finally calmer" and thanked officers for their "excellent work". Since last Monday, police have registered more than 100 disturbances in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area and arrested more than 20 people, Público reports. Seven people have been injured. A bus driver was hurt when the vehicle was set on fire in Santo António dos Cavaleiros and taken to hospital in a serious condition, Lusa reports.
Thousands rally against killing
Thousands rallied in Lisbon on Saturday to protest the father-of-three’s killing, Público reports. Former MPs and popular Cape Verde descendant singer Dino d’Santiago were among those on the peaceful march organised by Vida Justa from Marquês de Pombal to Praça dos Restauradores. They chanted “Odair forever” and called for the government to listen to their pleas for fairness, criticising the police’s “serious lies”. About 100 people gathered for a counter-protest organised by far-right party Chega in support of the police. Both marches went ahead without incident.
Far-right leader under investigation for comments
Prosecutors are investigating Chega leader André Ventura and two other party members for comments made about the shooting, Público reports. Ventura said the officer should be praised, an advisor said there was now “one less criminal” and the party’s parliamentary leader said “maybe if police shot more to kill the country would be in order”. More than 123,000 people signed a separate criminal complaint over the comments, which was due to be delivered to prosecutors on Monday, Lusa reports.
Minister praises health effects of wine, warns of ‘excess water’
Experts have criticised Agriculture and Fishing Minister José Manuel Fernandes for talking up the health benefits of wine and warning of the danger of drinking too much water, Público reports. In an interview with TSF, he said “moderate wine consumption doesn’t hurt” and that “people live longer where they drink red green [wine]” (vinho tinto verde, a common variety in parts of the north). Too much water also causes harm, he said, calling for everything in moderation. His comments were in defence of his government’s decision to not hike taxes on alcohol, soft drinks and tobacco. But experts said while it used to be said that moderate alcohol consumption was good for you and even helped lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, that was no longer the case. Even moderate consumption of alcohol was associated with an increased risk in various cancers and cardiovascular disease, nutritionist and professor Rita Sousa Santos said.
In brief
Competition authority gives green light for low-cost telecom Digi to buy Nowo. The decision, which the long-awaited Romanian operator previously said would allow it to launch more quickly here, is likely to cause headaches for entrenched players Nos, Vodafone and Meo. (Público)
Condominium groups lose holiday rental veto powers from November 1. A new law repeals the former government’s measures, meaning any apartment block wanting to block Alojamento Local activity now needs a two-thirds majority. (Público)
Demand surges after launch of €20 monthly Green Rail Pass. Sales of the CP+ card needed to take advantage of the pass offering rail travel throughout the country tripled and are set to remain high. More details in English here. (Público)
Disorganisation and lack of law review worsen Lisbon rubbish problem. Twelve years after urban hygiene was split between the Lisbon City Council and parish councils, there are still “grey areas” – such as rubbish left on the road beside bins – causing problems. (Diário de Notícias)
Stillbirths and deaths before 28 days almost double in Lisbon and Tejo Valley. Experts say the numbers must be studied closely to find out what’s behind the increase from 132 (0.38% of births) in 2022 to 238 (0.66%) last year. Público)
Tourism to keep breaking records but shrink as proportion of Portugal's economy. International Monetary Fund projections show the sector, which is expected to rake in €26.2 billion this year, shrinking to 9.2% of the economy in 2029 after peaking at 9.5% last year. The latest pre-COVID figure was 8.5%. (Público)
On a lighter note
These chillier past few days (please forgive that description if you’re from a properly cold country) have been enough to cause the first snow dump of the season at Portugal’s highest peak. The white stuff fell above 1900 metres at Serra da Estrela at the weekend and was enough to attract tourists but wouldn’t last long, SIC Notícias reports.
