A police officer on duty at the AIMA facilities in Martim Moniz, Lisbon, was subjected to an attempted assault with a box cutter by a foreign national on Tuesday.
An official source from the PSP confirmed that the officer was unharmed, and the motives behind the attempted assault, which occurred in the early afternoon, remain unknown.
The suspect was disarmed and detained, marking a notable incident on the third day of campaigning for the May 18 Legislative elections, sparking reactions across the political spectrum.
From Condemnation to “Out of Here, Now!”
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro condemned the attack on a PSP officer at Martim Moniz in Lisbon, emphasizing that the authority and safety of the police should not be compromised.
“I condemn with the utmost vehemence the attack on a PSP officer today at AIMA in Martim Moniz. The authority and safety of our police should never be questioned,” wrote the leader of the executive on his official account on the social network X.
I condemn with the utmost vehemence the attack on a PSP officer today at AIMA in Martim Moniz.
The authority and safety of our police should never be questioned.
I wish a quick and full recovery to the injured officer and express full support to our Police…— Luís Montenegro (@LMontenegro_PT) May 6, 2025
From the Right, the leader of Chega, André Ventura, decried the attack as “violent and cowardly” and called for “respect for authority.”
“I regret yet another violent and cowardly attack on a police officer at AIMA. All my solidarity with this man and all security forces,” wrote the Chega leader on his official account on the social network X.
In the same post, André Ventura also stated that “the country needs order and respect for authority.”
I regret yet another violent and cowardly attack on a police officer at AIMA. All my solidarity with this man and all security forces. The country needs order and respect for authority.
— André Ventura (@AndreCVentura) May 6, 2025
In another post, about an hour earlier, the Chega leader questioned whether these are the “working immigrants” the Left wants to bring here, even after they assault police.
“Out of here, now!” he added, concluding with Chega’s campaign slogan, “Save Portugal.”
Additionally, the Secretary-General of the Socialist Party, Pedro Nuno Santos, firmly condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the victim, asserting that respect for security forces is essential.
“Any and every aggression against a security officer is unacceptable and must be firmly condemned,” stated Pedro Nuno Santos on social media, reacting to the attack against a PSP officer at AIMA in Martim Moniz, Lisbon.
The PS leader sent “a word of solidarity to the attacked PSP officer.”
“Respect for our security forces is essential for living in a rule of law,” he asserted.
Any and every aggression against a security officer is unacceptable and must be firmly condemned. I send a word of solidarity to the attacked PSP officer this morning at Martim Moniz. Respect for our security forces is essential for living in a state of…
— Pedro Nuno Santos (@PNSpedronuno) May 6, 2025
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for PAN called for reflection on insecurity issues in the city, suggesting increased lighting and community policing.
“First and foremost, to lament and unequivocally condemn the attack on the police officer; the law must be followed, regardless of the context, and prompt recovery wished,” stated Inês de Sousa Real to journalists at the Caleidoscópio building in Lisbon, after a meeting with the Academic Association of the University of Lisbon.
