The Left Bloc (BE) member of the European Parliament, Catarina Martins, addressed on Thursday the case of a man caught on video violently assaulting his wife in Machico, Madeira, questioning whether the crime that “shocked the nation” would lead to changes, particularly in the justice sector.
“I read that the man filmed assaulting his wife in front of their child was remanded in custody. A brutal case, which shocked the country and is far from isolated. I wonder if the rightful uproar generated by this case will lead to serious efforts in preventing sexist violence, ending this tragic fate of women victims and male aggressors, and so many lives destroyed,” she stated on the social network X.
The politician further questioned “whether this case might also lead to new practices in Justice” and “whether it ends the notion that an aggressor can be a good father” and “the absurdity of the victim having to leave the home.”
— Catarina Martins (@catarina_mart) August 28, 2025
It should be recalled that the man, detained by the Public Security Police (PSP) on Tuesday after he was filmed assaulting his wife in the presence of their minor child, was subjected to pre-trial detention as a coercive measure.
The individual was charged with two counts of aggravated domestic violence. In addition to being remanded in custody, he is prohibited from contacting the victims.
The man was detained late Tuesday afternoon following an arrest warrant issued by the Public Prosecutor’s Office. In a statement released Tuesday night, the PSP noted that it apprehended “a 35-year-old man, native and resident of Machico, for the crime of domestic violence.”
“The arrest occurred following the issuance and delivery of out-of-flagrant-offense arrest warrants by the DIAP – MP to the PSP at 6:00 PM, with the suspect intercepted at 7:28 PM,” the note indicated, stating the suspect would be brought before the court “within a maximum of 48 hours.”
According to the PSP, the man was identified in the early hours of Monday after the police were contacted by the 34-year-old victim through emergency number 112, and the case was referred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The man detained after being filmed assaulting his wife in front of their minor child in Machico, Madeira, is subjected to pre-trial detention as a coercive measure and is prohibited from contacting the victims.
Márcia Guímaro Rodrigues | 18:55 – 28/08/2025
The footage of the assaults, which occurred in the presence of the couple’s 9-year-old son, was captured by surveillance cameras at the victim’s home and widely shared on social media.
The images show the man approaching a house door and ringing the doorbell. Subsequently, the shouting and assaults begin. The child attempted to protect the mother and pleaded with the father to stop.
