Portugal’s Judicial Police (PJ) carried out a nationwide operation early this morning aimed at tackling hate crimes directed at immigrant communities, according to an official source. The operation began at 7:00 a.m. and was still underway as of 9:30 a.m.
Media reports indicate that the PJ’s Counter-Terrorism Unit is leading a large-scale investigation targeting an extremist far-right network suspected of promoting discrimination and inciting hatred, particularly against immigrants from predominantly Islamic countries.
The group is allegedly led by Mário Machado, a convicted neo-Nazi currently serving a prison sentence for similar offenses. Authorities believe he continued to direct the group’s activities while incarcerated.
Investigators are focusing on the spread of racist and xenophobic propaganda through social media platforms, which authorities say has fueled coordinated acts of violence and public demonstrations marked by hate-filled slogans aimed at immigrant populations.
