In a clear indication that ‘allegations’ are being taken seriously, the Minister of Internal Administration has today instructed the IGAI (the General Inspectorate of Internal Administration) to open disciplinary proceedings against the 11 members of the security forces arrested last week on suspicion of ‘exploiting immigrants in the Alentejo region’.
All 11 (10 GNR agents and one from the PSP police) have been subsequently released from police detention and ostensibly allowed to return to their lives and jobs. Just how the latter situation works out for them will be determined by the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings.
These will be guided by evidence that IGAI has already requested (from the Public Prosecutor’s Office) on the criminal investigation process.
As Lusa recaps: ‘PJ judicial police arrested 17 people a week ago, 10 of whom were members of the GNR (National Republican Guard) and one a PSP (Public Security Police) officer, on suspicion of exploiting immigrants in the Alentejo region as part of Operation “Safra Justa” (Fair Harvest)’.
Of the 17 detainees, three, all civilians, were remanded in custody; the 10 GNR officers and one PSP officer were released on bail, and the other three civilians were required to make periodic appearances and were prohibited from contacting the victims and co-defendants, as well as from leaving the country.
The court justified the release of the 10 GNR (National Republican Guard) officers and one PSP (Public Security Police) agent by stating that “the telephone wiretaps that were not transcribed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office cannot be used to justify coercive measures.”
A source from the GNR (National Republican Guard) has told Lusa that the 10 GNR officers returned to duty today, having been assigned to their posts.
According to the same source, the GNR is awaiting the application of measures within the scope of disciplinary proceedings.
The PSP officer has been on sick leave since September 2024.
The criminal organisation dismantled last week “controlled around 500 foreign workers in the Alentejo region, but not all are considered victims of trafficking, according to a police source” says Lusa – as some of them will have been legal in this country.
Regarding the six civilians, the police source specified that four are Portuguese and two are foreigners, “all members of the criminal organisation.”
The two foreigners, from South Asia, “recruited victims of the same origin and ended up coercing and threatening them as well.”
Among the Portuguese, according to the source, is “the ringleader” of the network (still in custody), with the others being “his right-hand men”.
Source: LUSA
