Lisbon police torture investigation extended as suspect count rises

The Public Ministry has been granted an additional six months to investigate allegations of torture at the PSP Rato police station in Lisbon. A judge from the Central Criminal Instruction Court reclassified the case as one of special complexity, allowing more time to file indictments without releasing the seven defendants currently in preventive detention.

Prosecutor Felismina Carvalho Franco stated that the number of suspects involved is significantly higher than initially anticipated and that more individuals, primarily police officers, are yet to be detained. To date, 23 defendants have been identified, including seven in preventive detention, four under house arrest, and two suspended from their duties.

The investigation involves allegations of physical assaults, including punches and strikes to the head, as well as instances of attempted sodomy against detainees between July 2024 and March 2025. The court noted that many victims are socially vulnerable populations, such as homeless individuals, immigrants, or foreigners who do not speak Portuguese, which has complicated the identification of victims and their willingness to cooperate due to fear of retaliation.