“Government had no interference” in the Martim Moniz operation, says minister

Margarida Blasco spoke for the first time about the controversial PSP operation and assured that the government had no intervention in the planning and actions of the agents — “nor did they allow themselves to be instrumentalized”.

The Minister of Internal Administration spoke this Friday, for the first time, about the PSP operation that took place last week in Martim Moniz, highlighting that the Government had no intervention in the planning and actions of agents.

“The Government had no interference in this operation”, he said Margarida Blasco during a visit to the PSP inspection and prevention operation, which takes place on the 25 de Abril Bridge, in Lisbon.

After the actions of the PSP during the Rua do Benformoso, in Martim Moniz, the Minister of Internal Administration wanted to clarify that “these operations are preventive actions against crime and are fully organized with the judicial authorities”.

“The Public Security Police coordinated the entire operation with the Public Ministry”, said Margarida Blasco, adding that “the police have their autonomy in terms of operationality”.

Even in light of the criticism that has been made, with accusations related to a , Margarida Blasco deniedstressing that “not even the security forces allowed themselves to be instrumentalized”.

This Friday, Miguel Coelhopresident of the Junta de Santa Maria Maior (PS), the place in the historic center of Lisbon where the operation took place, that the police action was triggered by statements from him and residents.

“Even the washers at the parish council are often confronted with criminals who don’t want them to wash the streets, because hide the drugs under the rocks“, commented Miguel Coelho, asking for action from the government, police and City Hall.