A 39-year-old man has been detained on suspicion of at least one aggravated sexual coercion crime, which allegedly occurred on June 20 during the Ícaros music festival in Sesimbra. This was announced by the Judiciary Police on Friday, July 11, in a statement.
The inspectors reported that the victim is a 12-year-old girl, the daughter of a friend of the suspect.
The Judiciary Police stated, “Taking advantage of the trusting relationship he had with the victim, the daughter of a friend, the suspect subjected her to various sexual contacts, which might not have had more severe consequences because, at one point, another child appeared at the door of the residence.”
The investigation, carried out by the Setúbal Criminal Investigation Department, revealed that the incidents took place inside a temporary residence located within the festival grounds. The suspect participated in the festival at a time when he was alone with the child.
Authorities suspect that this may not have been the first time the suspect committed similar crimes.
Despite this, after the initial judicial interrogation, he was released with non-custodial coercive measures.
“Celebrity Masseuse”
According to CNN Portugal, which had previously reported the case, the minor herself told her parents she had been sexually abused by the therapist, known as the “celebrity masseuse,” while receiving a massage at the festival.
The complaint states that the masseuse touched the child’s genitals. The family, attending the event, immediately filed a complaint with the National Republican Guard (GNR), which forwarded the case to the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) and the Judiciary Police (PJ).
The suspect has since deactivated several social media accounts where he had thousands of followers. However, some images of him performing massages and promoting children’s events can still be seen on Facebook.
Ícaros Festival is an event dedicated to “medicine music” and wellness practices. When the case began to be investigated, causing great consternation on social media, the organization issued a statement, describing the event as “a very serious incident.”
They later released a new statement, even identifying the suspect.
“We deeply regret that this situation occurred during the beautiful gathering that is the Ícaros Festival. We feel the pain, anger, and sadness that many are experiencing. Where there is Light, there will always be Shadow. We are also profoundly grateful for the many messages of support we have received during these difficult times. May we remain united, even in pain, as a strong and supportive community. To the child and her family, we send a wave of strength, love, and healing. Our prayers are with you,” they wrote in the publication, assuring that since learning of the case, they have “maintained close contact and full cooperation with the PJ.”
