The former Minister of Culture from 2015 to 2016, João Soares, commented on the assault on José Manuel Anes, which allegedly was carried out by his own daughter, on Monday.
On Facebook, Soares, who served in António Costa’s government, expressed regret over the situation, expressing relief that Anes is now out of danger and wishing him “a speedy and solid recovery.”
“What happened proves in some way why he was a terrible president of that absurd thing called OSCOT” [Observatory of Security, Organized Crime and Terrorism], João Soares added, revealing he met Anes in the masonic lodge, “and later when he testified in a delusional manner in the Parliament’s Commission of Inquiry on Camarate.”
“I hope this incident with no health consequences marks his retreat from making absurd and fantastical public appearances claiming to be a so-called ‘security specialist,'” he confessed. “One can clearly see how he is a ‘security specialist,'” the former official concluded, emphasizing in the next sentence that he wishes him physical recovery.
“Again, I wish him better physical health; mentally, it’s more difficult for me,” he concluded.
João Soares resigned after promising “smacks” to critics
Nearly a decade ago, João Soares promised “healthy smacks” to two columnists from the newspaper Público in response to their criticisms.
In a Facebook post, the then minister wrote that in 1999, he had promised one of the columnists “a pair of smacks.”
“It was a promise I haven’t been able to fulfill yet. I haven’t come across the person all these years. But I still hope to have that luck. The day will come. At the time, he had slandered and defamed me,” said João Soares in response to the criticisms.
And he concluded: “I see that I have to look for him and Vasco Pulido Valente for those healthy smacks. It could only do them good. Me too.”
The minister’s comment caused a nationwide stir, leading João Soares to submit his resignation to António Costa.
José Manuel Anes allegedly stabbed by daughter
Almost ten years later, the former Minister of Culture made another controversial post on social media, this time about José Manuel Anes, an 81-year-old man and former president of OSCOT, who was allegedly stabbed by his daughter on Monday.
“The victim had multiple wounds and lacerations on his abdomen, hands, and legs, apparently caused by a cutting object. He also had bruises on his eyes caused by the suspect’s fingers,” revealed the police.
The man was taken to São José Hospital in Lisbon, where he is still hospitalized but out of danger.
Former president of the Observatory of Security, Organized Crime, and Terrorism, José Manuel Anes, is hospitalized at São José Hospital in Lisbon after being attacked at his home, allegedly by his daughter, on Monday.
Andrea Pinto | 13:03 – 21/10/2025
