The Public Security Police (PSP) confirmed that an individual was identified on Thursday morning following disturbances near buses at the Agualva-Cacém station in Sintra, attributed to the ongoing strike of CP – Comboios de Portugal workers, which has once again halted train services. The police informed that the case has been reported to the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP).
Initial information had suggested that a man had been detained.
The PSP clarified that the incident occurred around 7:00 AM while the police were conducting preventive oversight and stopped a bus heading to Belém.
As passengers boarded the vehicle, it quickly reached full capacity.
“A minor disturbance arose involving an individual who was particularly agitated and incensed. He was creating a disorderly situation, necessitating his removal so the bus could proceed,” stated the PSP, noting that the man in question did not take well to the instruction to “calm down” and used inappropriate language towards other passengers and officers.
The man was taken to the police vehicle, where he was “identified, not detained,” and subsequently released.
The PSP will “inform the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the intervention.”
When asked about the proportionality of force used in the intervention, the source denied any excessive force, indicating that “coercive measures” were employed, but not “excessive force.”
It is worth recalling that, in statements to SIC Notícias, a passenger claimed the man was “protesting to the police, saying it was unfair” that buses arrived already full and out of service at that location, arguing for more transportation instead of police “prevention.” “The police began with batons, throwing him to the ground,” she alleged.
The participation in the second day of the CP workers’ strike stood at 100% as of 7:30 AM, with all train services halted, according to a union source. “Just like on the first day of the strike, the participation is 100%. There have been no developments. Neither the Government nor CP has made any concessions, so the strike continues,” stated Júlio Marques from the Association of Intermediate Railway Management Supervisors (ASCEF), part of the 14 unions that called for the strike.
Disruptions to train services are expected to continue until May 14.
