A 71-year-old man was arrested by the Lisbon Metropolitan Command of the Public Security Police (PSP), through the Oeiras Police Division, on July 25, for the crime of domestic violence. The arrest took place outside of being caught in the act, in compliance with a warrant issued by the Criminal Police Authority.
In a statement sent to newsrooms this Sunday, the police revealed that “the most recent incidents occurred on the morning of July 24, between 10:00 am and 11:00 am, inside the residence shared by the suspect and the victim, his 68-year-old wife.“
The “victim later went to a hospital unit, presenting evident signs of physical aggression, namely edema on the ribcage and respiratory pain, symptoms compatible with a possible rib fracture,” having “reported to the attending physician that she was violently assaulted by her husband with punches to the head and a kick to the lumbar region, accompanied by death threats.“
The PSP further explains, in the same note, that following the clinical evaluation, the victim was referred “immediately” to São Francisco Xavier Hospital for further examinations.
“During subsequent police investigations, the victim revealed a history of more than five decades of physical and psychological abuse, characterized by controlling behavior, humiliation, repeated assaults, forced economic dependency, and episodes of sexual coercion,” it is added.
The victim, “visibly shaken and in a state of panic,” expressed “fear of the repercussions of the complaint,” emphasizing that the accused is in possession of a firearm, which he carried daily in a backpack.“
The accused, when informally confronted, demonstrated a “dismissive and aggressive attitude, denying the facts and exhibiting a complete lack of empathy.”
During the investigation, a firearm of the revolver type and two batons were seized as a precaution.
The detainee will be presented to the competent Judicial Authority, in the context of the 1st Judicial Interrogation, to be subjected to coercive measures.
