‘Measures will be taken against officials and their family members.’ – Far-right threatens MPs

‘A group of ten prominent figures in Portugal’s fight against racism this week received an email from a far-right organization demanding that they leave the country within 48 hours. Among the recipients were Left Bloc party officials Mariana Mortágua and Beatriz Gomes Dias and non-registered MP Joacine Katar Moreira.

The leader of SOS Racismo, an anti-racism association based in Lisbon, Mamadou Ba, is also one of those targeted. The e-mail, to which press was given access, gives the targeted persons two days to leave the national territory due to their skin colour and expressed views. “We inform you that a period of 48 hours has been allocated for the anti-fascist and anti-racist leaders included in this list, to terminate their political functions and leave Portuguese territory.”

The so-called “New Order of Avis – National Resistance” threatens the anti-racism figures with “measures against these leaders and their families” if the deadline is exceeded and adds that “the month of August will be the month of the fight against the nation’s traitors”. The threat arrived on Tuesday night to each of the ten recipients, who include union members. Since the email arrived, the Public Ministry have opened an inquiry into the threats.

“If the deadline has passed, measures will be taken against these leaders and their families, in order to guarantee the security of the Portuguese people. The month of August will be the month of the fight against the traitors of the nation and their supporters. The month of August will be the month of nationalist rebuilding “, they write.

The Left Bloc parliamentarians immediately reported the threats to the Judicial Police (PJ), which is already investigating the case also. The officials are set to file a complaint with prosecutors also. Speaking to press, Mamadou Ba has no doubt that this is a reiterated campaign by the extreme right. “This has to do with the performance of [Chega party] MP André Ventura, who encourages hate speech against anti-racist activism. It is no surprise that the violent extreme right feels certified in using methods that have always been his: coercion, blackmail and terrorism,” she says.  The activist leader has already been heard by the PJ. Mamadou Ba recalls that the threats occur a few weeks after the death of Bruno Candé, murdered by gunshot, in Loures.