Police Clash at Housing Protests in Lisbon and Porto: 13 Detained, Injuries Reported
📌 Key Highlights & Context
- PSP officers raided protest camps in Lisbon and Porto simultaneously at 4:30 AM.
- 13 individuals were detained after protesters refused to disperse and remove tents.
- MPs from left-wing parties appealed to police command to avoid disproportionate force.
Simultaneous Police Operation in Major Cities
Protests against the housing crisis in Portugal escalated this Sunday morning when the Public Security Police (PSP) conducted simultaneous operations in Lisbon and Porto. Starting at 4:30 AM, police units moved in to dismantle the protest camps, removing tents and clearing the areas. The operation resulted in the detention of 13 individuals.
Injuries and Political Backlash
Before the intervention, police had warned protesters from midnight that they needed to remove their tents voluntarily to avoid charges of disobedience. When protesters refused to disperse, police advanced on the human chain, leading to clashes. Multiple injuries were reported among both demonstrators and police officers. Prior to the raid, MPs from the Socialist Party (PS), Livre, and Bloco de Esquerda (BE) gathered at Rossio Square in Lisbon, urging PSP Commander Iúri Rodrigues to avoid the use of disproportionate force.
- The operation occurred exactly one week after a similar simultaneous intervention.
- Police issued verbal warnings starting at 00:30.
- Political representatives made last-minute appeals to de-escalate the situation.