The municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz, in the Évora district, announced today that “the city was shaken by a serious episode of violence last night”.
The local government reported that five men completely vandalized a local establishment and caused injuries to a young man.
This is described as “an unacceptable act that has put the community on alert and demands much more than words; it demands firm, determined, and responsible action,” stated the municipal council in a communication signed by President Marta Prates.
The council plans to present a motion to the government at the next council meeting on September 3, with three demands: an immediate increase in the GNR’s personnel in the municipality, the installation of a video surveillance system in the city’s most critical areas, and an assessment of creating a municipal police force as a structural and preventive solution.
In a conversation with Lusa news agency, the President of the Reguengos de Monsaraz Council noted that “around 10:00 PM on Wednesday evening, a well-known sushi restaurant and bar was vandalized by five men.”
“They were consuming alcoholic drinks at the bar and wanted to continue, but were told the bar was closing, leading them to destroy everything, even striking a young person on the head with a chair, who then needed to go to the hospital,” she described.
The mayor announced a meeting later today with the Municipal Civil Protection chief, the territorial detachment and Reguengos de Monsaraz GNR post commander, and the Parish Council to collectively “assess the situation.”
“I know the GNR was called to the scene, but I am unaware of any arrests. As of now, I only have the restaurant and bar owner’s account, who doesn’t intend to reopen the establishment due to the incident,” she added.
A witness, who preferred to remain anonymous due to fear of reprisals, confirmed to Lusa that “the owners no longer wish to reopen, as this is not the first time such altercations have occurred.”
“Four men were drinking on the patio while another came to the bar to request more alcohol. When informed of the impending closure, he threatened to set the place on fire and spat in the bartender’s face, prompting a push,” they recounted.
This incident escalated as “the others broke the door and windows to get inside, initiating a 10 to 15-minute ordeal that seemed endless, as everything was destroyed amid fighting. The restaurant and bar family was assisted by friends and relatives,” the witness shared.
This occurred in front of “sushi restaurant patrons who were dining, including 12 children,” the witness emphasized, noting that although the destruction was “mainly in the bar,” witnessing the event was neither pleasant nor safe for everyone.
Lusa reached out to the public relations officer of the Évora Territorial Command throughout the morning but was unable to get a response.
