Hundreds of immigrants held a peaceful protest on Tuesday in front of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Lisbon, demanding security and justice after a Bangladeshi shopkeeper was shot dead during a robbery in the Feijó area of Almada.
The incident happened on the night of June 13, when Mahabubul Alam, a 44-year-old immigrant from Bangladesh, died after being shot three times.
A friend of the victim, Robin, told SIC Notícias that the man was shot as he was preparing to close the grocery store he owned.
“Yesterday he also tried to close at 9:00 PM when three people came here to try to enter the store. He said no, it was already closed and they couldn’t enter the shop. They tried to get in, he said no. One of them pulled out a gun and killed him,” he recounted at the time.
The man resisted and even chased the robbers, but was ultimately hit by three fatal shots. His pregnant wife and two daughters, both under 13, witnessed everything.
The Bangladeshi immigrant was killed for not allowing the suspects to enter the grocery store after closing time to rob it. His pregnant wife and two young daughters witnessed the murder.
Notícias ao Minuto | 23:31 – 14/06/2025
Tuesday’s peaceful demonstration in Lisbon was organized by Casa do Bangladesh, joined by other associations, and largely consisted of men carrying banners and signs calling for “justice for Mahbubal Alam.”
Brazilian Nina Martins, representing the Movimento Vida Justa, was one of the four women present.
“We support this cause. I think we need to fight, investigate, and seek justice,” she told Lusa at the scene, as the group formed and occupied part of the Praça do Comércio.
Roni Hossan, from Casa do Bangladesh, stated that Portugal’s problem is not a matter of racism but “criminality.” “We have several Bangladeshi merchants here in Portugal; it’s not a racism issue. It’s about criminality. It’s up to the police to investigate and determine responsibility,” he commented.
Community leader Rana Taslin submitted a written request to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to ensure justice in the case of the killed shopkeeper and to enhance security for Bangladeshi and other Asian immigrants.
He estimated that around 50,000 people from the Bangladeshi community currently live in Portugal, with 20,000 in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area.
See images from the protest in the gallery above.
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