The off-duty GNR officer that attacked a customer in the Finanças office in Montijo, Setúbal has been made formal a suspect, or ‘arguido’, accused of abuse of power.
The attack, filmed by the victim and posted live on his Facebook page, shocked social media viewers yesterday as the soft-spoken Brazilian was choked until he passed out.
The incident could not have been more public and rapidly spread around social networks. The GNR offered to mount an internal investigation and today, the officer was informed he will be charged with the crime of abuse of power.
The incident took place on Tuesday at Montijo's Finanças office when the customer decided to film his interaction with Finanças staff over an IRS matter.
He was grabbed from behind and put in a 'mata-leão' choke-hold by the off-duty GNR officer who claimed that the customer had been abusive to staff.
The Minister of Internal Administration ordered the General Inspectorate of Internal Administration (IGAI) to open an investigation into the circumstances that led to the embarrassing and violent episode.
The GNR announced the opening of a process to "investigate the circumstances of the citizen's arrest and to determine possible responsibilities, taking into account the images broadcast.”
This it has done and the officer now can expect the force of the law around his own neck.
See also; Taxpayer choked to unconsciousness in Finanças office by off-duty GNR officer
and the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja1HBMNgU0Q