The home of the mayor of Vila Pouica de Aguiar, a municipality in the north of Portugal, was the target of the most bizarre attack last night, around 11.15pm.
According to reports, the attack – involving the hurling of stones and fruit in various directions, including the patio – went on for “about an hour”.
Why in that time the mayor, Ana Rita Dias, did not call police is not explained.
Police arrived ‘after the event’, and are said to be ‘making inquiries as to the identity of the authors of the attack’.
Ms Dias was unable to identify them, notwithstanding the fact that the assault played out over a relatively long period of time.
Local radio station RCAguiarense explains that Ms Dias means to take the affront “to the ultimate consequences”, labelling it “repugnant and lamentable”.
She told the station that it began with “noises on the roof, loud bangs on the front door and stones and fruit falling into the interior patio of the house”.
The mayor is under no illusions: this was a politically motivated attack. She explains that she has been the target of “constant personal attacks” principally via social networks, but did not elaborate as to their content.
The PSD candidate in upcoming municipal elections, Ms Dias said simply that she believes “the truth will out”.
She also hopes that the looming electoral campaign is “clean” (no more flying fruit, or stones). “I desire from the bottom of my heart that the unhappy person who had this attitude is able to swallow their rage and think above all of Vila Pouca de Aguiar…” she is quoted as saying.
A statement by the GNR has referred to the fact that Ms Dias’ husband and two young daughters were at home during the attack, and endured “moments of great tension”.
Fortunately, in spite of the fright “no one was hurt, but material damages are significant”, says the force.
Ms Dias political ‘opponent’, PS candidate Manuel Borges Machado has declared his “total repudiation for the vandalism”, expressing hopes that the case is swiftly cleared up.
Source material: SIC/ Rádio Clube Aguiarense
