Summary:
Public Prosecutor accuses a PSP officer of homicide in Odair Moniz's death.
Suspension of duties requested for the accused officer.
Odair Moniz was shot on October 21 and died shortly after.
The PSP emphasizes the presumption of innocence amid ongoing investigations.
Public unrest followed the incident, leading to riots and numerous arrests.
Public Prosecutor's Accusation
The Public Prosecutor (MP) has formally accused a police officer from the PSP of homicide in connection with the death of Odair Moniz in the Cova da Moura neighborhood of Amadora, Lisbon. This statement was confirmed by the officer's lawyer, Ricardo Serrano Vieira.
Details of the Case
According to Vieira, "an accusation for a crime of homicide has been filed" against his client. He plans to review the case and consider whether to request an instruction phase, which allows a criminal judge to decide how to proceed with the case.
Suspension Requested
The MP has also requested the suspension of the officer's duties while the investigation continues. A statement published today explained that the accused should "await further proceedings under the measure of suspension from exercising the profession of PSP officer".
Officer's Current Status
The officer involved has been transferred from his station and is currently on sick leave, with no set date for his return to work.
Presumption of Innocence
In response to the accusations, the PSP reiterated the importance of the "presumption of innocence" in a democratic state like Portugal. They emphasized that the case is currently under "judicial secrecy", limiting their comments.
Incident Overview
Odair Moniz, a 43-year-old Cape Verdean citizen, was shot by a PSP officer in the early hours of October 21 and later died at São Francisco Xavier Hospital. The official PSP version claims that Moniz attempted to escape in a vehicle after seeing a police car and allegedly resisted arrest, attempting to assault officers with a knife.
Calls for Accountability
However, the SOS Racismo association and the Vida Justa movement have challenged the police's narrative, demanding a "serious and impartial investigation" to determine accountability, citing a "culture of impunity" within the police.
Public Unrest
Following the incident, riots erupted in the Zambujal area and other neighborhoods in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, resulting in the burning and vandalism of buses, cars, and trash bins, with approximately twenty arrests made.
Ongoing Investigations
In addition to the judicial process, disciplinary investigations are underway by the Inspection-General of Internal Administration (IGAI) and the PSP.
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