Lisbon police officers face trial for torture and sexual assault

The trial of two police officers from the Rato station in Lisbon began on September 11, 2026, facing charges of torture and sexual assault. According to the Public Ministry, between July 2024 and March 2025, the officers allegedly assaulted detainees with punches, slaps, and gun butt strikes to the head. The prosecution claims the officers filmed and photographed some of these assaults and, in certain instances, committed or attempted sodomy using objects.

The primary defendant, a 22-year-old currently in preventive detention, faces 29 charges, including six counts of torture, five counts of rape (one completed and four attempted), seven counts of abuse of power, and various offenses related to theft, robbery, and illegal weapons possession. A second officer, aged 26, faces seven charges including torture and abuse of power and is currently under house arrest.

The victims were reportedly primarily drug addicts, homeless individuals, or foreign nationals in irregular situations. The prosecution also noted that images of the abuses were allegedly shared in WhatsApp groups with dozens of other police officers.