Rui Pedro Moreira
Rui Pedro Moreira allegedly abused at least two students at the riding school where he teaches. There may be more victims. Candidate for Azambuja is in preventive detention.
The local candidate for Chega na Azambuja, Rui Pedro Teixeira Moreirawas arrested by the Judiciary Police (PJ) on December 12, on suspicion of at least two crimes of sexual abuse of minors and one crime of child pornography, according to the magazine this Monday.
The rider and riding coach at Centro Hípico Lebreiro was initially the target of a complaint filed by a childin November, who reported to the authorities alleged “advances” by the 22-year-old trainer, seen as a “promise” in the Ribatejo equestrian world, the magazine found.
From then on, the investigation will have advanced with due diligence, collection of testimonies and other means of evidence. According to the available information, the defendant is suspected of having sexually abused two students, aged 11 and 14in events located between April and November this year.
The authorities do not remove the possibility of more victims: the child who made the complaint was not directly victimized by Rui Pedro, having escaped the abuse unharmed.
Present before the judge at the Court of Loures, the suspect was subject to the most serious measure of coercion, the preventive detentionat the Lisbon Prison. The decision was based, according to the information provided, on risks associated with the continuity of criminal activity. The process remains under investigation.
From riding to Chega
Rui Pedro Moreira lived in Alenquer, but was born and raised in Azambuja, where he began riding while still at school age. Later, he was invited to collaborate in the training of younger practitioners, starting to perform functions of teacher/coach.
Working with children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 16, including young people in more vulnerable situations, will have allowed the Chega candidate to approach sexual abuse.
Rui Pedro Moreira approached Chega in 2021, when he reached the age of majority, volunteering to support the council. Your name appeared on lists for the municipal assembly in the 2021 municipal elections and emerged again as a candidate in 2025without election.
In the weeks before his arrest, Rui Pedro Moreira stood out again in competition, namely in the Portuguese Working Equitation Cup, in Golegã.
