Youth Arrested for Violent Attacks on Rideshare Drivers During Lisbon Riots

Two Young Men Arrested in Connection with Lisbon Riots

On Monday, two young men were arrested in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area on suspicion of being involved in the recent riots. According to the PSP (Public Security Police), the suspects, aged 18, allegedly used physical force and knives to assault and coerce rideshare drivers into surrendering their vehicles.

In a statement released in the afternoon, the PSP provided an update on operation "Ares," which commenced early Monday morning in the municipalities of Oeiras and Amadora. The suspects are believed to be linked to aggravated robbery crimes committed during the riots triggered by the death of Odair Moniz last month.

Crimes Committed in Specific Areas

The police report indicates that these crimes took place in the Portela and Barronhos neighborhoods in Carnaxide. The suspects allegedly assaulted rideshare drivers, forcing them to hand over their vehicles, which they later used for their own purposes. Notably, one of the suspects had previously been in preventive custody for similar offenses.

The first arrest occurred at a residence in Amadora, while the second suspect was apprehended around 11:00 AM in Carnaxide. As part of operation "Ares," the police executed seven search warrants at various locations, involving teams from the Criminal Investigation and Rapid Intervention units.

Seizures and Additional Arrests

The operation targeted seven residences, including three in the Portela neighborhood and one in Algés. Alongside the aggravated robbery investigation, another case involves two men aged 30, one of whom is suspected of attempted murder and other serious crimes, leading to his arrest in Algés. During the home searches, the police seized two pistols, ammunition, drug weighing materials, a knife, and €360 in cash.

The second man, arrested in Portela, is also implicated in aggravated robbery with a knife and was found in possession of cocaine. Both suspects have prior criminal records.

The PSP confirmed that all four detained individuals will be presented for a judicial interrogation to determine coercive measures. They are expected to appear in court on Tuesday. The unrest in various neighborhoods of Greater Lisbon followed the tragic shooting of Odair Moniz by a police officer on October 21, which sparked several nights of disturbances.