Yesterday’s Council of Ministers saw diplomas approved increasing penalties for aggressions towards all kinds of public sector workers, from prison guards, to police, teachers/ school workers, doctors and healthcare professionals – crimes that will now be considered ‘public crimes’, meaning victims to do not have to ‘press charges’ for their assailants to be prosecuted. Minister for the Presidency António Leitão Amaro stressed that the idea here is to offer “greater protection to victims” who often do not want to press charges for fear of reprisals. As for the penalties, the offence of “resistance to authority” will now carry a maximum jail term of eight years, instead of the current five.
Penalties increased for aggressions against security forces/ teachers/ doctors and health professionals
