In a statement posted on social media, the movement reports that the farmer who became a defendant appeared in court in Elvas on Tuesday to give testimony.
“More than a year later, only now has Justice decided to act, a clear demonstration of the state of the Portuguese Justice system and the country itself. Among thousands of farmers, they identified only one person who, interestingly, was one of the most active on social media regarding the defense of Portuguese farmers,” the statement criticizes.
The movement plans to request a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, José Manuel Fernandes, regarding this case.
“Unlike previous officials, José Manuel Fernandes will be sensitive to this tremendous injustice perpetuated by the lowest and vilest pettiness,” reads the statement.
The promoters will also inform the parliamentary committee on Agriculture, as well as all parliamentary groups, about the situation.
The civic movement also urges professionals in the field to support the farmer who became a defendant, calling for their presence when he is next summoned to testify in court.
“The next time he is called to testify, we will all be present, thus demonstrating our unity and the solidarity that so well characterizes the Portuguese,” it reads.
In May 2024, the organizers appealed to deputies to intervene to “cover up” the notifications from the National Republican Guard affecting some participants.
“I appeal to the deputies to mobilize, with the institutions and people who can, to ‘cover up’ this, because it is a very ugly element of our democracy,” stated Alexandre Pinto, from the committee installing the movement, during a hearing at the parliamentary committee on Agriculture and Fisheries.
“The country spent 40 years with political prisoners, and then spent 50 years without politicians in prison. None of us want to return to the regime of political prisoners,” the farmer emphasized.
João Dias Coutinho, also from the committee installing the movement, told deputies that various demonstrators from Ficalho, in the municipality of Serpa, Beja district, and Vilar Formoso, in the municipality of Almeida, Guarda, were “being notified randomly.”
