Month: June 2020

The Government has extended until the end of the month the ban on flights to and from countries outside the European Union, within the scope of the measures to contain the spread of covid-19, according to an order published in Diário da Republic.

The diploma, signed by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, National Defence, Home Affairs, Health, and the Secretary of State for Affairs and Communications, takes effect from Monday until the last day of June.

The “extension of the ban on air traffic to and from Portugal for all flights to and from countries that are not part of the European Union” (EU), allows exceptions, such as the countries associated with the Schengen Area (Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland), the Portuguese speaking countries, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Venezuela, Canada and South Africa, given the presence of important Portuguese communities.

Regarding Portuguese-speaking countries, the diploma safeguards that in the case of Brazil only flights from and to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro will be admitted.

The rules contained in this order also do not apply to flights aimed at the entry and departure of nationals of the European Union, of states associated with the Schengen Area and of third countries with legal residence in a Member State of the European Union, as well as persons of third countries traveling for study purposes.

This diploma applies to commercial flights, excluding State and Armed Forces aircraft, aircraft integrated in the Special Rural Fire Fighting Device, as well as flights for the exclusive transportation of cargo and mail, or of a humanitarian and medical emergency nature.

Fica também definido que, através de despacho conjunto, os ministros da Administração Interna e da Saúde podem adotar medidas específicas de controlo sanitário necessárias, em função da origem dos voos e atentas as orientações da Comissão Europeia e a avaliação da situação epidemiológica pelo European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

In the context of the epidemiological situation caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the exceptional measures adopted to deal with the covid-19 pandemic, in March the ban on air traffic to and from April 17 was determined from Portugal for all flights to and from countries outside the European Union, successively extended until 00:00 on 15 June, taking into account the assessment of the epidemiological situation in Portugal and the European Union and the measures proposed by the European Commission.

Despite the progress made, the Government maintains the extension of air traffic restrictive measures, “taking into account the guidelines of the European Commission of 11 June 2020 regarding the application of temporary restrictions to non-essential trips to the EU, in a common coordinated approach opening up the EU’s external borders and according to the evolution of the epidemiological situation ”.

The strike by CTT workers against the payment of lunch allowance on the meal card starts at midnight today at post offices, SNTCT Secretary General Víctor told Lusa news agency Narcissus.

As it is a public holiday, “the strike begins at midnight at the central post offices”, starting in Cabo Ruivo, Lisbon, said the secretary general of the National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Workers (SNTCT).

This is the second strike of Correios de Portugal workers in two weeks (the last one happened on May 29), and the payment of the meal allowance on card was the engine of this strike, which is joined by the claim for “better conditions” work “, the protest against the” disorganization of the company “and the” wage freeze “, among other points.

Víctor Narciso said that his expectations of joining “are good”, judging by the last strike.

In a statement, CTT anticipates that, “in general in the country, the effects of the strike are not very felt, with the possible occurrence of constraints located in specific areas”, stating that “they have articulated a contingency plan in order to avoid, in case of need, problems in its operation in defense of the provision and quality of service to our customers “.

In the last stoppage, on May 29, according to the union, more than 70% of CTT workers were on strike against freezing wages and the payment of the card meal subsidy, but the company placed the membership at 18.5%.

According to the union, workers do not accept the proposal to allocate a meal card as a form of payment for the food subsidy, thus replacing the monthly payment by bank transfer, as has been done so far.

In the note sent today, CTT states that this strike covers both the company’s networks – the postal distribution network (postmen) and the service network (CTT stores) -, but not the Post Office network operated by CTT partners. , nor agents that provide PayShop payment services.

CTT also warns that, on strike days, no membership fee released before 12:00 on June 12, 2020, that is, before the absence of workers in the payroll processing system is completed, can be based on complete data.

According to the company, the decision to start paying the food allowance through a meal card to employees who had not yet chosen this route was one of several measures taken to face the revenue shortfall and ensure the company’s sustainability.

CTT underlines that the meal card can be used in any establishment selling food products and “represents a clear economic advantage for everyone: for the company, it represents a lawful way of substantially reducing costs; for employees, it means savings annual average for IRS, in the order of 100 euros “.

The strike was called by the SNTCT, SINDETELCO – Democratic Union of Postal, Telecommunications, Media and Services Workers, SITIC – Independent Union of Information and Communications Workers, SINCOR – Independent Union of Portuguese Post Offices, SINQUADROS – Union of Cadres de Comunicações de Communications, SINTTAV – National Union of Telecommunications and Audiovisual Workers, SICOMP – Union of Communications of Portugal, FENTCOP – National Union of Transport, Communications and Public Works, SERS – Union of Engineers, SNEET – National Union of Engineers, and SERS – Union of Engineers of the Southern Region.

Olof Palme murder: Sweden believes it knows who killed PM in 1986

Swedish prosecutors have named the man who they say killed former Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme in 1986, ending years of mystery.

They said it was Stig Engstrom, a graphic designer known as “Skandia Man” who killed himself in 2000. As a result they were closing the investigation into Palme’s death, Chief Prosecutor Krister Petersson said.

Palme was shot in the back as he walked home from the cinema with his wife in Stockholm.

He had already dismissed his security team for the day. The assassination took place on Sweden’s busiest road, Sveavagen, and more than a dozen witnesses saw a man fire the shots before fleeing the scene.

Palme’s son Marten told Swedish radio that he believed prosecutors had reached the right conclusion and were right to close the case.

“However, it was of course a bit disappointing that they didn’t have more conclusive evidence, like DNA or a weapon that they could trace to the crime,” he told the BBC.

Thousands of people have been interviewed over Palme’s death. A petty criminal was convicted of the killing but the verdict was later dismissed.

Year-long global investigation focused on a dark net site known as ‘Babyheart’ and its administrator, ‘Twinkle’.

The Portuguese Judicial Police have hosted a media event to show how international cooperation led to the arrest of two men who sexually abused children.

The event, hosted at the Portuguese Judicial Police Headquarters in Lisbon included INTERPOL, Europol and US ICE, each of which had an important part to play in the events leading up to the arrest of the offenders in 2017.

Those events were the culmination of a year-long global investigation by various police agencies into the child abuse dark net site known as ‘Babyheart’ and its administrator, known as ‘Twinkle’.

Working collaboratively and using the secure information exchange systems provided by Interpol and Europol, investigators from different agencies including US ICE, Austrian Bundeskriminalamt, French Gendarmerie, Italian Polizia di Communicazioni,  UK National Crime Agency and West Midlands Police, Australian Federal Police and Queensland TaskForce Argos, Canada’s Toronto Police Service and the Brazilian Federal Police gathered intelligence.

That intelligence pointed at the user Twinkle being the administrator of the ‘Babyheart’ dark net site who sexually abused children and posted images of that abuse on the site. However, he was using the anonymity of the TOR network to protect himself against the efforts of investigators.

He further claimed to be using advanced methods of encryption and counter-surveillance to ensure that he would not be detected or prosecuted by law enforcement. He gave limited details as to his actual identity and made finding himself more difficult for investigators by providing misleading information in online posts, messages and through the child abuse material he claimed to have produced.

Careful analysis of the intelligence provided by all the law enforcement agencies involved, including pictures and video files led to a breakthrough. The location of the suspect was then narrowed down to Portugal.

The Portuguese Judicial Police took control of the investigation and engaged with the prosecutor’s office. Further criminal intelligence analysis by experts at INTERPOL, Europol, and US ICE led to significant new information about the suspect and the victims that he was believed to be abusing.

Thanks to this cooperation the suspect was arrested and charged. His electronic devices were seized and examined, leading to the identification of seven victims directly related to him.

Commenting on the case, Valdecy Urquiza, Assistant Director of INTERPOL’s Vulnerable Communities unit, said: “This case required input and support from so many different stakeholders – it was a textbook example of how international collaboration can put harmful individuals behind bars. We look forward to building on this experience in order to protect more children from sexual abuse.”

Cultivation of industrial hemp controlled by IFAP, GNR and PSP

The cultivation of hemp, (‘cannabis sativa’) for industrial purposes, including food, will now be controlled by the Agriculture and Fisheries Financing Institute, Judiciary Police, Republican National Guard and Public Security Police.

According to a draft regulatory decree to which Lusa had access, “in the case of growing hemp for industrial purposes, including for food or animal use or the manufacture of compound feed or food, from the varieties of cannabis sativa to production of fibres and seeds not intended for sowing, the control functions are carried out by the Agriculture and Fisheries Financing Institute [IFAP], together with the Judiciary Police [PJ], the Republican National Guard [GNR] and the Public Security Police [PSP] ”.

This issue will be the fifth amendment to regulatory decree No. 61/94 of 12 October, which establishes rules regarding the control of the lawful market for narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and other chemicals that may be used in the manufacture of drugs.

In turn, authorization for the cultivation of industrial hemp will have to be requested from the Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary (DGAV).

The fees for authorization requests are set at three thousand euros for the cultivation, production or wholesale trade of plant species for medical or research purposes, 1,200 euros for import or export and for transit thousand euros.

The changes and maintenance of these authorizations imply the payment of one thousand euros, while the fees for the cultivation of industrial hemp are fixed at 50 euros, plus, when applicable, “the cost of laboratory control analyses”.

The application of fines and sanctions for the use of authorization for a purpose other than that established is the responsibility of Infarmed – National Authority for Medicines and Health Products, excluding those resulting from competences attributed to DGAV.

Prisoner released under an exceptional regime rearrested.

A 21-year-old man recently released under the exceptional sentence easing regime, due to the covid-19 pandemic, was rearrested on Wednesday 10th June in Lisbon on suspicion of theft, the PSP announced.

“The suspect, was recently released under the exceptional regime of easing the execution of sentences, following the pandemic situation,” said the PSP, reported that the young man was detained in the parish of Penha de França, following a complaint of theft, “with violence”, in which the victim, a 25-year-old man, had his wallet taken, after being asked for a cigarette.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Command of Lisbon of the PSP reported that, in addition to this occurrence, the suspect was detained “twice for crimes of the same nature” in the last 12 months, verifying that in both situations the penalty of preventive detention was issued.

When he was released 3 years and 9 months early of an effective prison sentence due to the covid-19 pandemic, , “after having proven 12 crimes of theft, some of them qualified,” referred the PSP, adding that, after being presented to the court for the first interrogation of the detained accused, he was once again placed back in custody.

The exceptional regime for the release of prisoners, in the context of the covid-19 pandemic, allowed about 1,900 prisoners to be released.

This regime allows the granting of a partial pardon of sentences of up to two years, defines a special pardon regime, from which 14 detainees benefited, authorizes extraordinary administrative exits of prisoners and provides for the exceptional anticipation of probation.

Suspect involved in thefts from foreigners’ homes in the Algarve

A suspect has been detained concerning cases of several thefts, in Silves” and in other localities in the Algarve, namely between Monchique, Vila do Bispo, Aljezur” and also in the Alentejo

The GNR detained a man suspected of several thefts in the homes of foreign citizens, in the Algarve, taking advantage of the absence of owners in the countries of origin, due to the pandemic of covid-19.

The Criminal Investigation Nucleus (NIC) of Portimão of the Territorial Command of GNR in Faro detained “a 41 years old man, for several thefts, in Silves” and in other locations in the Algarve.

Following the police investigations, it was possible to gather “the evidence relating the suspect to six other thefts in residence, which occurred in the second half of May, between Monchique, Vila do Bispo, Aljezur” and in Alentejo, adds the GNR.

In the scope of the investigation, which “lasted for about a month”, in addition to identifying and detaining the alleged perpetrator of the thefts, GNR recovered (and seized) “more than twenty tools linked to civil construction, several bottles of drink, and several GPS devices [acronym for global positioning system, satellite navigation system] ”.

A search was also carried out at the suspect’s residence, where various materials were seized, namely three shotguns and about 300 cartridges, three light vehicles, a motorhome, a motorcycle and a trailer, specifies the GNR.

The detainee, who has an existing criminal record, was presented to the Judicial Court of Portimão.

GNR seizes half a ton of sardines in Matosinhos

The GNR Matosinhos Coastal Control Detachment has announced the seizure of 508 kilos of sardines, with an estimated value of 3,082 euros, because the source of the fish is unknown.

In a statement released by the GNR a spokesperson stated that “Although the capture of sardines has been allowed in Portugal since June 1, due to the fact that the origin of the fish is unknown, an administrative offense was prepared for lack of traceability, an infraction punished with a minimum fine of 250 euros and a maximum of 25 thousand euros”, explains the GNR, in a statement.

This seizure occurred on Tuesday 10^th June, during an inspection of the grounds of the fishing port of Matosinhos and the surrounding area.

The GNR officers detected the fish in boxes but were unable to determine the ownership of the fish.

The seized fish was subjected to hygienic verification and donated to institutions of social solidarity in the North region.

Since the commercialization of sardines “it has become a resource of interest for Portuguese fishing, for the canning industry and for the export of fishery and sea products”, GNR defends that “the resource must not be exploited in order to guarantee, in the long term, the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the fish, within a precautionary approach, defined based on the available scientific data, while trying to ensure the fishing income to its professionals”.

The operation and use of outdoor pools requires that those responsible for the management of these spaces implement procedures for the prevention and control of infection, ensuring compliance with rules of occupation, permanence, cleaning of spaces and physical distance between users, in accordance with rules defined by the Government in the current epidemiological context.

The swimming pools are recreational spaces visited every year by thousands of people, so it is important to define the aspects to be taken into account in their operation and use, so as not to jeopardize the strategy adopted to control the Covid-19 pandemic.

The use of outdoor pools is no exception to compliance with the general measures to combat the pandemic, defined by health authorities, which recommend physical distance and avoidance of concentration of people, frequent hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, cleaning and cleaning of spaces and the use of a mask or visor by the professionals supporting the pools.

On the other hand, and in accordance with the provisions of no. 2 of article 30 of Decree-Law no. 24/2020, of 25 May, it is necessary to adopt special rules to be adopted regarding the occupation and use of swimming pools outdoors and regarding the guarantee of water quality, health and safety of the facilities.

Thus, the Government defines that in enclosures with outdoor swimming pools where chairs, loungers, umbrellas, stalks or similar equipment are available for use by users in the surrounding area, they must be ensured in order to provide for a distance of three meters, except when occupied by users belonging to the same group.

In addition to the ban on equipment for collective use, use of recreational and / or collective equipment by users, such as buoys, mattresses or the like, which may hinder the enjoyment of spaces by others, should be avoided. users in compliance with the rules of physical safety distance.

In outdoor showers, sanitary facilities and circulation areas of outdoor pools, the use of footwear is mandatory.

The maximum permitted occupancy must be defined according to the restrictions necessary to comply with the rules of hygiene and physical distance between users, with the maximum number of people allowed in each outdoor pool defined by the competent local authority.

Those responsible for the management of enclosures with outdoor pools must ensure the posting of operating rules and prevention and mitigation measures implemented in a visible place, as well as adopt a signaling system at the entrance of the enclosure that allows users to obtain information about the occupation of space, using the color code provided for in article 12 of Decree-Law no. 24/2020, of 25 May.

This regime defined by government order and already in force is extended to swimming pools integrated in tourist developments and in local accommodation establishments.

The month of May was the hottest in the last 89 years, along with 2011, with a heat wave lasting 17 days, one of the longest and with the most territorial extension. .

According to the Climatological Bulletin of the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA), available today on the website, May was an “extremely hot and dry” month and is the warmest since 1931, equaling May 2011.

The IPMA also points out that in the period from 17 to 31 at several stations in the surface observation network, a heat wave occurred, from north to south of the continent’s territory.

This wave started on the 17th, 18th of May and lasted until the end of the month, extending in some stations in the northeast of the country until the first days of June.

According to the IPMA, this heat wave had a maximum duration of 16/17 days and can be considered as one of the longest and with the greatest territorial extension for the month of May.

The Institute also points out that during the month there were very high values ​​of air temperature, which were much higher than normal values, in the second half of May, particularly from the 17th.

“It should also be noted that on the 3rd and 26th to the 29th the average value of the maximum air temperature, and mainland Portugal, was above 30 degrees Celsius”, according to the IPMA.

The average value of the average air temperature (19 degrees Celsius) was much higher than the normal (plus 3.26 degrees).

According to the IPMA, the average values ​​of the maximum temperature of (25.40 degrees) and the minimum (12.60 degrees) were the 2nd highest values ​​since 1931.

The lowest value of the minimum temperature was registered on May 10 in Carrazeda de Ansiães (district of Bragança) with 3.3 degrees Celsius and the highest value of the maximum was recorded on the 28th in Pinhão (Vila Real) with 37.3 degrees Celsius .

With regard to rain, the average value of the quantity, 51.2 mm, corresponds to 72% of the normal value 1971-2000 (71.2 mm).

Precipitation values ​​were higher than normal in some places in the southern region and in particular in Alto Alentejo, Península de Setúbal, Baixo Alentejo and in the eastern Algarve.

On the other hand, in the northern region and especially in altitude zones, precipitation values ​​were much lower than normal.

The Climatological Bulletin, made available by the institute, also includes the drought meteorological index (PDSI), which points to a decrease in the area of ​​intensity of meteorological drought in the southern region at the end of May.

However, in the northern interior the class of weak drought has reappeared.

According to the PDSI, at the end of May 75.2% of mainland Portugal was in normal drought, 17.5% in weak drought, 4.7% in moderate drought and 2.6% in light rain.

The IPMA classifies the drought meteorological index into nine classes, which varies between “extreme rain” and “extreme drought”.

The Minister of Internal Affairs announced today that Brussels recommended maintaining, until July 1, the restrictions on non-essential flights to countries outside the European Union.

Eduardo Cabrita, who attended the informal meeting of Ministers of Internal Affairs of the European Union today, said in a press conference that the European Commission proposed that member states maintain these restrictions until the end of June.

Portugal, he said, will maintain, however, some exceptions, which already existed, namely in relation to Portuguese-speaking countries or with significant Portuguese communities.

According to the minister, the European Commission will issue a set of recommendations next week to all member states on the gradual and coordinated lifting of external borders.

“Countries will be assessed according to their health situation and access to flights will take into account the recommendations of the European Center for Disease Control. This will be the criterion that will lead us, as of July 1, to define the cases in which we will authorize the existence of flights ”, he said.

“Many” EU governments on Friday supported renewing for a third time a restriction on outside arrivals, said European Home-Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson. The curb on non-essential travel to the bloc is due to lapse on June 15 after being introduced in mid-March for 30 days and extended twice as Europe stepped up the fight against the virus.

Border with Spain

Regarding the border with Spain, the only internal border that Portugal shares, the date indicated for the reopening is also the 1st of July, as had already been put forward by the Spanish government, which had initially pointed to the 22nd of June.

“It was reaffirmed, both by the Minister of the Interior of Spain and by me, the total harmony existing in the coordination of actions and in what we had previously defined to accompany the process of monitoring the survey of borders”, underlined Eduardo Cabrita.

The minister said, however, that the lifting of land borders will not take place as long as there is “any situation of internal quarantine” in Spain.

Spanish authorities closed the borders in mid-March, with the entry into force of the state of emergency, except for residents, cross-border workers and truck drivers, in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The Prime Minister considered today that Portuguese airports guarantee safety and hygiene conditions to prevent contagion from the covid-19 and are prepared for the resumption of air traffic as of the next 15th.

António Costa transmitted this message after a visit of almost two hours to Lisbon International Airport, from the departures area, to the baggage reclaim area, going through the expansion works of the runway next to Terminal 2.

“I believe I can say what the Directorate-General for Health has already said, but also what international civil aviation institutions have already said, that is, that Portugal’s airports are ready, comply with safety standards and are prepared to welcome the resumption of air traffic with all normality”, declared the Prime Minister.

Having at his side the chairman of the Board of Directors of ANA José Luís Arnaut, and after a brief intervention by the president of Vinci Nicolas Notbaert, the Prime Minister considered “very important that the country be prepared, from 15 June, to the reactivation of routes and the opening of borders, with a collective effort being made within the framework of the European Union so that tourism can fully resume its activity”.

“For this to happen it is essential that passengers, whether they want to leave, or those who want to arrive, know that they can travel safely. There is work to be done with aviation companies, but airports are an absolutely critical point, because people from all over the world cross them”, stressed António Costa at the end of a visit in which none of the main members of the Commission was present Executive Board or the Board of Directors of TAP.

For the Prime Minister, “respect for hygiene and safety standards is the greatest guarantee that the reopening of traffic is not an uncontrolled risk factor for the development of this pandemic”.

Having the ministers of Economy Siza Vieira and Infrastructure Pedro Nuno Santos close by, António Costa then said that he had witnessed at Lisbon airport the compliance with the hygiene standards of those who circulate, public spaces and equipment.

António Costa also spoke about the improvements introduced in the airport stores and the creation of «safe circuits in order to avoid risky situations».

The mayor of the municipality of Elvas, where the Caia border is located, received today with “satisfaction” Spain’s announcement that it will reopen the borders with Portugal and France on 22 June .

“It is positive [the announcement from Spain], given what we are experiencing in economic terms,” ​​said Nuno Mocinha, in statements to the Lusa agency.

Spain will lift restrictions on the entry of people to the borders with Portugal and France as of June 22, as announced today by the Spanish Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto.

“In the case of France and Portugal, I want to confirm that as of June 22, restrictions on land mobility will be eliminated,” said the minister, in a meeting with the international press, adding that “in principle, quarantines will be eliminated”.

The Spanish Government thus anticipates the date of opening the borders by one week, after having announced on 25 May that it would lift restrictions on the movement of people, namely foreign tourists, only on 1 July.

However, the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs has already expressed his surprise at the announcement by Spain of a reopening of the common border on 22 June and underlined that whoever decides on the reopening of the Portuguese border “is naturally Portugal”.

“We were surprised by these statements by the minister responsible for Tourism [of Spain], who ‘announces’ the reopening of the border between Portugal and Spain for the next June 22nd,” Augusto Santos Silva told Lusa, stressing that the announcement “no falls within the framework of “close cooperation” between the two Governments for the management of the common border.

“Whoever decides on the opening of the Portuguese border is naturally Portugal and Portugal wants to do it in close coordination with the only State with which it has a land border, Spain,” he added, stating that “clarifications are already being requested from the Government of Spain”.

Considering that “it is always better” to reopen borders on the 22nd, than at the end of the month, as was initially established, the socialist mayor of Elvas, in the district of Portalegre, warned that when taking this step they must also be “safeguarded ”Health security issues.

“Both the municipalities of the border, and the Government of Extremadura (Spain) advocated a faster opening, that is, what could happen on the 15th. Then, it was announced by the Spanish Government that it only predicted at the end of June, well, we stayed there in the middle, it is always better than at the end of the month, so we are happy to receive this news ”, he added.

Spanish authorities closed the borders in mid-March, with the entry into force of the state of emergency, except for residents, cross-border workers and truck drivers, in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Off-duty GNR saves woman and baby from abuser

On 31^st May, then National Republican Guard (GNR) arrested a 24-year-old man for the crime of domestic violence in Coruche. An off duty GNR officer was alerted when he heard “several screams coming from outside a house” as he was walking close by.

The officer found a 23-year-old woman who was from suffering physical and verbal abuse with a three-year-old child in her arms.

“After trying to strangle the victim, the attacker also put his hand over her mouth to prevent her from screaming for help, causing the victim to have being rendered helpless”, reveals the GNR statement sent to newsrooms.

The GNR asked Coruche’s patrol for help in order to subdue the aggressor. The man was arrested and, after appearing at the Santarém Judicial Court, was placed under house arrest with an electronic bracelet.

The victims had to receive assistance “through the National Social Emergency Line”.

More information….

The number 144 – National Social Emergency Line (LNES) – is a free public telephone service, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

• People who are victims of domestic violence;
• Children and young people in danger;
• People in a situation of loss or lack of autonomy;
• Homeless people.

GNR seizes 70,000 contraband cigarettes in operation on A3

The GNR Tax Action Unit seized 70,000 contraband cigarettes during an operation in an A3 service area, the highway that links Porto to Valença, that police force reported.

A statement released by the GNR stated that “If the goods had been released for consumption through marginal commercial channels, the seized tobacco would have caused a loss to the State, due to Transaction Tax and VAT, in the amount of approximately 16 thousand euros”,

The seizure occurred on Wednesday in the service area of Coronado, in the area of Trofa, district of Porto.

The tobacco that was seized from two vehicles “without bearing the required tax stamp for commercial sale in national territory” and the drivers, one 45 years old and the other 61, “were not accompanied by any commercial or customs documentation proving the payment of taxes due.

In addition to seizing the tobacco, the GNR Tax Action Unit, which had the support of the National Traffic Unit of the same police force, prepared two customs administrative infractions for the irregular introduction of goods into consumption.

PSP seizures in illegal racing in Loures

Twelve cars were seized at dawn Sunday 31^st May, during a mega-operation of the PSP in Lisbon against illegal races (street-racing) carried out, frequently, on the banks of the River Trance, in Saccade.

The operation that involved agents of the Lisbon Traffic Division, took place at about 3 am.

Of the 12 vehicle seizures, two were due to lack of insurance, and the other 10 were due to changes in the characteristics of the vehicles not registered in the respective logbooks.

The PSP also issued 28 administrative infraction notices, which could result in heavy fines for those targeted, as well as two notices for the presentation of documents.

PSP official source said that these operations are to continue, “in order to suppress a phenomenon that jeopardizes the safety of drivers and pedestrians”

GNR officers assaulted and injured in Paderne

A GNR patrol was beaten and abused by a 25-year-old man, on Wednesday morning, in Paderne, Albufeira, following a routine inspection.

One of the soldiers suffered injuries to his arm and was hospitalized at the Basic Emergency Service of Albufeira (SUB). The other soldier did not need medical assistance. The aggressor was later arrested and was present this Thursday to the judge to find out the coercion measures.

It is recalled that last Saturday a GNR soldier was also beaten with an elbow during an inspection operation in Alvord, in the municipality of Portimão.

Yamaha Motor Portugal will perform free check-up on 700 GNR and PSP bikes

YAMAHA will support the security forces, continuing the social responsibility actions that it has developed, and which are even more necessary with COVID-19, which is beginning to associate a deep economic and social crisis.

In the case of both GNR and PSP, the aim is to ensure the fulfilment of their work and duty using motorcycles.

The company aims to help minimize wear and tear, providing greater security and a level of readiness to all YAMAHA vehicles used by GNR and PSP. The contribution is to offer GNR and PSP a check-up for each YAMAHA motorcycle or scooter in service, in addition to the offer – whenever necessary replacement of oil and oil filter and respective labour

YAMAHA expects to perform this check-up on about 700 vehicles, with a greater focus on the cities of Lisbon and Porto. In this action, which will take place between the last week of May and the month of June, approximately 130 technicians will be involved, distributed by the approximately 35 authorized YAMAHA dealers spread across the country, who joined together in this initiative.

Death of George Floyd – “Black Lives Matter” movement

Governments around the world including police forces have condemned racism following the death of African American George Floyd in Minneapolis, United States.

The “Black Lives Matter” movement is rapidly gaining traction on social media. This movement has been sparked by the incidence where George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American, died on May 25 in Minneapolis, after a policeman pressed his knee with his neck for about eight minutes in an arrest operation, despite Floyd having said he couldn’t breathe.

The police officer in question, Derek Chauvin, was fired, detained the charge now elevated to second-degree murder, court documents show. The other three officers, previously uncharged, face counts of aiding and abetting murder.

A complete autopsy of George Floyd, killed at the hands of the US police, was released on Wednesday and provides new details, including that the African American tested positive for Covid-19 in April.

A week after the incident, hundreds of thousands of Americans have come to the streets of dozens of American cities to protest against police violence, racism, but also against social inequalities, which were exacerbated by the Covid-19 crises.

A peaceful protest was held in Lisbon yesterday and other cities around the world.

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