The families of the six youngsters who died at Meco beach on December 15 last year have delivered a request to the Court of Almada to undertake another investigation into the case.
"Hopefully there will be a judgment and that João Gouveia (Dux), the sole survivor of the tragedy that occurred on the Meco beach in Sesimbra, will clarify all our doubts in court," said the mother of one of the students from the Lusophone University who died.
The families are desperate that the deaths of their children are investigated fully, believing as they do that the evidence has been suppressed and that the court case was massaged to save any embarassing investigations into the culture of freshers’ pranks at this University and others.
The families' appeal to the court in Almada is an attempt to get a judge to review the case, circumstances, evidence and investigation to decide once and for all whether there should have been a prosecution again Loulé resident João Gouveia, aka ‘Dux,’ who was in charge of COPA which organised the university pranks, or indeed against the university directorate itself which condoned the widespread initiation ceremonies, many of which may be dangerous.
In February 2014 the police were reportedly preparing to investigate Gouveia in what at the time they said would be a murder case. This did not happen.
Gouveia’s silence until the investigation came to court loaded him with suspicion but he stuck to the story that the deaths were just tragic accidents and nothing to do with academic induction ceremonies gone wrong.
The case went to court but was archived this summer, not the result the parents’ wanted and through lawyer Vítor Ribeiro they tried to get the investigation reheard despite the Public Ministry sticking to the official line that the drownings were accidental.
If the parents are successful at getting another hearing and a more incisive judge we may all get to hear what really went on at Meco beach.
Comments
Not in the parents obvious, understandable grief at the pointless loss of a treasured young son or daughter. That is timeless ...
But, in the parents getting regularly publicity in pushing against the 'establishment'. The 'establishment' always wanting a quick archivement. A wrap. No delay. Closure on their terms.
The point being that - not so many decades ago; some very heavy types would have long ago been round to each of the parents and told them to the effect that - 'It happened; it is over. Keep quiet and just move on'.
Always remembering how Amnesty International started ... over two Portuguese students being arrested, as recently as the 1960's; for toasting 'Freedom'.
And, does Amnesty International know where their 'founding fathers' are now ? Does anyone ???
Is it therefore more about 'appearing concerned' for the parents... and diverting attention away, as in Dr. S's time ? Perhaps even aiming towards a future judges declaration that Dux can't get a fair trial as its been on TV so often - so let him off?
The better educated Portuguese elite stayed in school beyond the age of 16 and do not have 'Relvas' degrees.
So they will have been through the 'University Pranks' - and as they survived it - perhaps see it as just a cheaper variation of the 'US fraternity' culture. Saving on buying a mansion for the initiation rites - and using a beach instead.
That other Universities 'prank' though - Lying under a wonky wall does suggest an aim to 'leave the gene pool'.