President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa refrained from commenting on “specific cases, especially those under judicial investigation,” following the arrest of ten National Republican Guard (GNR) soldiers and a Public Security Police (PSP) officer allegedly involved in exploiting and enslaving immigrants in Beja.
“I do not comment on specific cases, much less those under judicial investigation, as it is an investigation conducted by judicial entities and apparently concerns criminal activities. We will see if they are or not,” he stated to journalists after a conference on November 25, 1975, at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon.
He added: “What I would say here, as I have said in other cases, is that it would be advisable for this investigation to be as rapid as possible. Why rapid? First, because the alleged crimes are serious, and second, because individuals from highly important institutions in Portuguese society are involved.”
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa emphasized that “the reputation of these institutions is fundamental.” “So, if justice needs to be done, let justice be done. But the timing of justice is not irrelevant,” he reinforced.
“It is not only the reputation of the individuals under investigation or the severity of the alleged matter but also the reputation and credibility of these institutions.”
“Any process, while respecting legal provisions, should be swift. We cannot have the notion that only one, two, three, four, or five years later is a determination reached—if it is—on matters crucial for the prestige of these institutions. If justice is to be done, it should be done, but the timing is not indifferent,” he stressed.
The President expressed that, for now, the GNR and PSP’s prestige remains unaffected. “That is why I say that to ensure the credibility of these institutions, which are essential for our collective life, this investigation or similar ones must be as expeditious as possible.”
What is known about this case?
Ten GNR military personnel and a PSP officer were detained on Tuesday in a Police Judiciary (PJ) operation for allegedly exploiting and enslaving immigrants.
In a statement sent to newsrooms, the PJ clarified that it conducted the “Safra Justa” operation to execute approximately 50 search warrants and 17 arrest warrants in Beja, Portalegre, Figueira da Foz, and Porto.
“Involved,” the authority explained, “is a criminal organization controlling hundreds of foreign workers, most of whom are in irregular situations in Portugal.”
Reactions from the GNR and PSP
The GNR reiterated “total repudiation of any acts that jeopardize human rights, the dignity of persons, and the good name of all its military and civilian personnel, men and women who daily and selflessly serve Portugal and the Portuguese.”
Subsequently, in a statement, the PSP mentioned it “became aware today” of this operation, adding that the officer had been “on long-term leave for 14 months.”
It noted that it “awaits specific knowledge of the events,” and once they have “news regarding the crimes of which the police officer is accused”—information they currently lack—”appropriate and preventive disciplinary procedures will be initiated.”
