Neonazi group MAL planned grenade attack on Montenegro's home among more than 120 targets
The Public Prosecutor's Office has accused nine members of Movimento Armilar Lusitano of terrorism. The group considered launching a grenade at the prime minister's apartment.
Movimento Armilar Lusitano accused of planning attack against Montenegro and 120 public figures
The Public Prosecutor's Office has accused the leader and eight other members of Movimento Armilar Lusitano (MAL) of committing terrorism offences, according to zap.aeiou.pt. The group, classified by authorities as a far-right and neonazi organisation, is said to have planned violent actions against more than 120 government officials, politicians, journalists, artists and activists in Portugal.
Among the targets identified in the indictment are Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, former President Cavaco Silva, former Prime Minister António Costa, Marques Mendes, Carlos Moedas, Rui Tavares, deputies Mariana and Joana Mortágua, as well as figures from culture and comedy such as Ricardo Araújo Pereira, Nuno Markl and Clara Não.
Plan to attack the prime minister's residence
One of the most serious episodes described in the indictment concerns a plan to attack Montenegro's home in early last year. Members of the group exchanged messages in which they considered launching a grenade into the apartment, having previously ruled out the possibility of kidnapping. The attack ultimately did not take place after the suspects discovered that Montenegro was staying in a hotel.
The leader of MAL, identified as Bruno G., held a leadership position in the PSP on secondment to the Municipal Police of Lisbon. According to the indictment, he consulted documentation regarding the police surveillance carried out at the prime minister's residence.
Personal information of 175 people and 89 institutions gathered
The investigation was conducted by the National Counter-Terrorism Unit of the Judicial Police (PJ) and concluded that MAL had developed surveillance, recruitment and logistical preparation activities over several years. According to prosecutor Cláudia Porto of the Central Department of Investigation and Criminal Action (DCIAP), the group gathered personal and confidential information about at least 175 people and 89 institutions.
The suspects advocated the creation of "people's courts" to judge and punish those they considered enemies of national interests, and discussed the use of physical violence to intimidate or extort targets, whilst simultaneously seeking to finance the organisation and promote political change.
The indictment also refers to plans for an invasion of Parliament. During house searches, the PJ seized a computer containing a list of Communist Party (PCP) deputies and CDU candidates for Lisbon in the 2019 elections.
Lack of resources prevented the realisation of attacks
Despite the extent of the plans, authorities concluded that the absence of human, material and logistical resources prevented the effective realisation of the attacks. The group was constrained by the limitation of resources throughout its entire activity.
The investigation resulted in eleven defendants being constituted. Four have remained in pre-trial detention for approximately one year. A fifth suspect was subsequently released after the courts determined that precautionary measures were limited. Authorities also identified suspects who are located abroad.
The case now moves to the judicial phase, where the charges brought by the Public Prosecutor's Office will be considered.
Source: Google News PT