Portugal’s Minister of Internal Administration on Sunday, 22nd March, condemned an incident during the March for Life held the previous day in Lisbon, describing it as an act of “violent extremism” and praising the “swift intervention” of the Public Security Police (PSP).
“We do not tolerate any form of violent extremism and will continue to act firmly to prevent and combat it, ensuring security and the defence of democratic values,” the minister, Luís Neves, said in a statement sent to newsrooms.
The march, which took place on Saturday afternoon in central Lisbon, ended with an incident in which a man threw a Molotov cocktail into the crowd. No injuries were reported.
According to one of the event’s organisers, the device failed to ignite. “Fortunately, the fuse became soaked and the bottle fell without catching fire,” he said, noting that it landed near the stage. While no one was injured, several participants were splashed with the flammable liquid.
The suspect, a 39-year-old man, was immediately detained at the scene by the PSP. The minister commended the police response, highlighting their “effectiveness and professionalism in protecting citizens”.
In a statement, the PSP said the individual, who was not participating in the demonstration, approached the area and “threw an improvised incendiary device of the ‘Molotov cocktail’ type, containing petrol, in the direction of those present”.
At the time of the incident, around 500 people were taking part in the march, including children. The improvised weapon struck the ground near a group of demonstrators but did not detonate. Even so, police reported that the incident created “a climate of alarm and disturbance”, with some people splashed by the flammable substance.
The suspect was taken into custody and transported to police facilities, where he is to be brought before a judicial authority for the application of appropriate coercive measures.
Authorities reported that associates of the arrested suspect, individuals present at the scene, fled following the incident. According to the PSP, they are believed to have been part of a group “allegedly linked to anarchist movements”, with three individuals later identified on another street.
The Lisbon march formed part of a broader Walk for Life initiative held in 12 cities across Portugal, opposing voluntary termination of pregnancy. In the capital, the demonstration began at Largo do Carmo and proceeded to São Bento Palace.
Source: JN
