Rato police station trial in Lisbon begins: Two PSP police officers appear before the judge on charges of torture and sexual assault

The trial of two police officers accused of serious ill-treatment of persons detained at the Rato PSP police station in Lisbon is scheduled to begin on Friday, September 11.

The prosecutor's indictment includes torture, rape, abuse of power and various other accusations against the two police officers. The charges against the defendants do not yet mean a final conviction, and their criminal liability will be determined by the court at the end of the trial. citeturn0search2

What is the prosecution's claim?

According to the prosecutor's office, some people detained at Rato police station between July 2024 and March 2025 were punched, slapped and hit with a gun handle.

The indictment also includes sexual assaults and assault attempts against some victims.

Another striking aspect of the investigation is the claim that some events were recorded and some of these images were shared in WhatsApp groups with PSP members. citeturn0search2

There are also foreigners among the victims

According to the prosecutor's file, the victims include people with drug addiction, people detained for minor crimes, homeless people and foreigners in an irregular situation in Portugal. citeturn0search2

This detail also makes the case particularly important to PTNewsHub readers. The allegations concern law enforcement's behavior towards detainees, as well as vulnerable It also raises serious questions about the rights of foreigners in this situation vis-à-vis the public authority.

Main defendant faces 29 charges

According to the news of Renascença, based on Lusa, there are a total of 29 charges against the 22-year-old main defendant, including six torture, five rape - four of them attempted - seven abuse of power and other crimes.

The defendant has been detained since his arrest in July 2025.

The second police officer, 26, faces a total of seven charges, including two of torture and three of abuse of power, and is under house arrest. citeturn0search2

In April, the Tribunal Central de Instrução Criminal decided that there were sufficient indications for the file to be brought to trial. This decision is not a determination that the defendants are guilty; It is a judicial stage that allows the merits of the case to be heard in court. citeturn1search4

The second leg of the investigation continues

Incidents linked to the Rato and Bairro Alto police stations also led to a broader investigation.

In its official statement in May, the Portuguese Prosecutor's Office stated that an indictment was issued against two PSP members within the scope of the first investigation, and that the second investigation, separated from this file, continues under the management of DIAP Lisboa. citeturn1search5

Therefore, the trial that will begin on September 11 is not the entire legal process regarding the allegations around the police stations; wider One of the first significant trial stages of the investigation.

Resources

Renascença / Lusa, 9 September 2026: Julgamento dos polícias da esquadra do Rato começa na sexta-feira

Diário de Notícias, 27 April 2026: Tribunal mandate julgar polícias acusados de tortura e violação na esquadra do Rato

Ministério Público — Procuradoria da República da Comarca de Lisboa, 12 May 2026: Factos ocorridos nas esquadras do Rato e do Bairro Alto — esclaricimento