For three days, riots have been taking place in the suburbs of Lisbon. At least five homes in the suburb of Amadora in the Lisbon metropolitan area were damaged by the storm on Wednesday. Violent public reactions led to police killing a suspected criminal on Monday. Officers say they acted in self-defense.
Early on Monday morning, a police patrol killed a 43-year-old black man, a resident of Zambujali estate in the city of Amadora, located in the district of Lisbon. The police released a statement saying that the man belonged to a criminal gang and that he was shot when the police tried to attack the officers with a knife. According to the officers, they killed the assailant “acting in self-defense” after firing two shots at him.
Just over a dozen hours later, a riot broke out in Lisbon, which police said was started by other gang members. Since then, street riots break out every evening in the suburbs.
Riots in five residential areas
On Wednesday, riots broke out in at least five residential areas near Lisbon. According to the information of the service, they destroyed public property and threw firecrackers and bottles at the police. There were incidents of arson. The officers used a flat weapon.
Riots in Portugal PAP/EPA/MIGUEL A.LOPES
Among those who attacked the insurgents was one of the TV crews who were pelted with fire and stones.
Trash cans were set on fire in several places in downtown Lisbon, mostly in immigrant neighborhoods. The police reported that they prevented a fire to public property in the village of Pontinha, where two people were arrested for the crime.
Police announced they will investigate whether officers on Monday's patrol used excessive force and resources. Meanwhile, Margarida Blasco, the Minister of Internal Affairs, announced that all efforts will be made to bring to justice the perpetrators of chaos in the suburbs.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/MIGUEL A.LOPES
