Two killed in knife attack on Ismaili Muslim centre // Housing crisis protests marked by police confrontation
Portuguese news in English on Monday, April 3, 2023.
Two killed in knife attack on Ismaili Muslim centre
Investigations continue into the knife attack that killed two people and injured others at an Ismaili Muslim centre in Lisbon on Tuesday. Two women were killed and the suspected attacker was taken to hospital, where he underwent surgery and was placed in police custody, Público reports. The incident began during a Portuguese lesson, without any apparent motive or misunderstanding, leaving neighbours and people who knew those involved in shock, the newspaper reported. The suspected assailant, an Afghan refugee in his mid-30s with three kids, is accused of attacking the teacher, who survived and raised the alarm, with a large knife. Mariana Jadaugy, a teaching staff member under 25 who studied foreign relations and political science; and Farana Sadrudin, the niece of a Ismaili diplomat in Portugal who helped refugees to integrate, both died in the attack. They were described as “good people” and “kind”. The suspect had been living in Odivelas since 2021 after his wife died in a Greek refugee camp. He had come to see the Ismaili community, which preaches a pacifist view of Islam focused on aid and development, a place of welcome, Público reports. Police said the incident was not being treated as a terrorist attack, the Associated Press reported, in English.
Housing crisis protests marked by police confrontation
Thousands marched through the streets of Portugal’s biggest cities on Saturday in a protest against the national housing crisis, Público reports. In Lisbon, the largely peaceful rally was marred by confrontations with police, which took place at the end of the day in Martim Moniz after officers reportedly intercepted two youths in a supermarket. Many protesters gathered outside, shouting for the females to be released, before a large police force beat them back with batons and pepper spray, RTP reports. Thousands also marched in Porto, Viseu, Aveiro, Coimbra and Braga for the right to live in dignity in the nation’s rapidly gentrifying cities. “Home is a right” and “so many people without houses, so many houses without people” were some of the placards on show. Reuters has more here in English.
Changes to more controversial parts of housing plan
The government has announced significant changes to the two most controversial aspects of its “More Housing” plan to tackle the crisis, Diário de Notícias reports. The period required for vacant homes to be subject to forced rental will be pushed back to two years, and the scheme limited to only apartments in denser areas, predominantly along the coast. That means, for example, free-standing homes in less-populated areas will be exempt. For residences already vacant for two years, the local council will contact the owner and offer them 30% above market rate to rent the home and if that is refused, the municipality can go ahead with the forced rental or miss out on the higher taxes applied to the property. The Alojamento Local (tourist rentals such as Airbnb) reforms will also be wound back, with lower density areas excluded from both the new extraordinary tax on AL properties and the ban on new licences. The government also announced a drop in that tax to 20%, down from the 35% initially proposed. Two measures, including one related to architectural approvals, will remain under discussion until the end of the month.
In brief
Portugal being used as a base to assist illegal immigration. Organised crime groups are helping people working in other EU countries get residency permits here, using fake documentation and work contacts. (Público)
VAT-free shopping list includes 44 products, permits up to €9 saving. The list, which won’t be implemented until later this month, includes olive oil, rice, spaghetti, milk, bread and many common meats, fish and vegetables. (Dinheiro Vivo)
Former TAP administrator’s €1.35 million pre-retirement payment considered illegal. The company’s lawyers now consider the 2018 agreement with Maximilian Otto Urbahn to be illegal and will try to recover the payment. (Público)
Lisbon-Cascais private jet route has second highest emissions intensity in Europe. Last year, 118 jets made the 20-kilometre trip, generating 261 tonnes of carbon emissions. The only shorter trip is the seven kilometres from Blackbushe to Farnborough south-west of London, which 13 jets flew, according to Greenpeace.
Rail unions warn of major strike on April 6. The unions said the action, which is part of a month of rolling strikes of varying intensity, would mean no trains for the whole day, unless the government decrees otherwise. (Público)
TAP pilots cancel planned Easter strike. The union said some of the biggest obstacles to an understanding between the various parties had been lifted. (Público)
On a lighter note
If you’ve been looking for an excuse to head to Serra da Estrela, this could be it, so long as you’re a fan of cheese. Gouveia, on the north-western edge of the natural park, is playing host to a Serra da Estrela cheese festival this Friday and Saturday, Público reports. There’ll be more than 50 exhibitors, sensory experiences and workshops related to the famous dairy product. You can find more information about the event, which kicks off in the local market on Friday morning, at the official website.