Actor attacked by neo-Nazi group outside Lisbon theatre
The suspect is associated with far-right groups including the international neo-Nazi network Blood & Honour and a Portuguese identitarian group called Portugueses Primeiro (Portuguese First).
Portuguese actor Adérito Lopes, a member of the historic theatre company A Barraca, is recovering at home after being violently assaulted on Tuesday night, June 10, outside Cinearte theatre in Lisbon.
The attack occurred just before a scheduled performance dedicated to the poet Luís de Camões, on the Day of Portugal, a date that also marks the probable 500th anniversary of Camões’ birth.
According to eyewitnesses, the cast was arriving at the venue around 8:00 p.m. when they encountered a group of about 30 far-right extremists returning from a demonstration.
The group was holding banners with xenophobic slogans and distributing propaganda near the theatre.
Veteran actress and director Maria do Céu Guerra said the attackers initially provoked one of the actresses, and tensions escalated until Lopes was punched in the face, likely with a knuckle duster or rings, resulting in deep facial cuts and trauma to his eye.
Firefighters provided first aid at the scene before transporting him to Hospital de São José, where he received multiple stitches.
Due to the assault, the final performance of Amor é um fogo que arde sem se ver (“Love is a fire that burns unseen”) was cancelled despite a full house.
Audience members reportedly remained at the theatre until after 10:00 p.m., with Guerra stating that the situation might have worsened without rapid police intervention.
A source close to the actor confirmed to Portuguese media outlet SIC that Lopes left the hospital around 2:00 a.m. and briefly returned to the theatre.
He is currently recovering at home and is said to be “very shaken” by the experience.
Suspect Linked to Neo-Nazi groups
The Public Security Police (PSP) quickly responded to the incident, and using descriptions provided by the victim and witnesses, intercepted a 20-year-old suspect in nearby streets.
The individual was formally identified but not detained, as the crime is classified as “semi-public,” meaning legal proceedings require the victim to file a complaint.
Multiple sources, including Expresso and SIC Notícias, reported that the suspect is associated with far-right groups including the international neo-Nazi network Blood & Honour and a Portuguese identitarian group called Portugueses Primeiro (Portuguese First).
The latter is reportedly led by João Martins, who was convicted in the 1995 murder of Alcindo Monteiro, exactly on the same night thirty years ago, a racially motivated killing that continues to resonate in Portugal’s memory.
Members of these groups were seen placing stickers and attending a gathering in a restaurant near the theatre earlier that evening.
At least two members of Blood & Honour were filmed leaving the area after the attack.
Though banned and classified as a terrorist organization in several countries, Blood & Honour remains legal in Portugal.
Controversy over far-right groups
The incident has reignited political tensions surrounding the 2024 Internal Security Report (RASI), which, in its final version published in April, omitted previously included sections on extremist organizations.
The omission prompted criticism from opposition parties, including the Socialist Party (PS), which demanded explanations from the government.
The Internal Security System later admitted that a draft version of the report had included the controversial content, but maintained that only the final, official version was submitted to Parliament.
A proposal by the Left Bloc to hold a parliamentary debate on the matter was rejected by PSD, CDS-PP, and Chega, drawing sharp criticism from PS, PCP, and Livre, who accused the right-wing parties of avoiding a serious discussion on internal security and extremism.
Reactions
The attack sparked immediate political responses, with prominent figures condemning the rise in extremist violence and hate speech.
Mariana Mortágua, leader of the Left Bloc, condemned the attack, blaming government inaction and accusing the PSD government of removing far-right threats from the official security report.
Livre party’s Rui Tavares said the incident was a direct result of “lack of clarity in rejecting hate speech.”
Former Communist MP António Filipe called for an end to the “impunity of criminal associations.”
The Minister of Culture issued a statement affirming that “culture must not be intimidated,” and emphasized the need to guarantee that artists, technicians, and audiences can participate in cultural life safely and with dignity.
Director of theatre company condemns the attack
The director of Lisbon’s A Barraca theatre company has condemned the assault on one of its actors as a “completely terrorist act that must be punished.”
Speaking during a break in an emergency company meeting, director Maria do Céu Guerra addressed a small group of actors gathered outside in solidarity.
She expressed outrage that such violence could still occur in Portugal, drawing a direct line to the 1995 racist murder of Alcindo Monteiro and noting that individuals involved in that crime were linked to this incident.
“There is deep revolt at A Barraca that something like this is even possible, 30 years after Alcindo Monteiro’s death, and involving the same people,” said Guerra.
She confirmed that the theatre has referred the matter to legal counsel and will release a public statement, after which they will cease further comment to avoid giving visibility to the attackers.
Emphasizing the need for accountability, she insisted the justice system must uphold the Constitution: “The thug who smashed an actor’s face, his instrument of work, can’t simply stroll into a police station, sign a paper, and walk free. Those who violate the Constitution must be punished.”
Call for Legislative Action
An open letter, already signed by several public figures, is being circulated to Parliament, urging stronger legislation against far-right violence.
Addressed to the President of the Republic, Prime Minister, parliamentary leaders, and Assembly President José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, the letter argues that this latest aggression “is not an isolated event” and calls for “an urgent legislative response” to rising extremist violence.
The attack on Adérito Lopes coincided with the 30th anniversary of the racially motivated murder of Alcindo Monteiro in Lisbon, reinforcing concerns that far-right ideology continues to pose a serious threat in Portugal.
As of now, police are continuing the investigation.
Although the suspect has been identified, further legal proceedings depend on whether the victim chooses to press formal charges.
Demonstration on Sunday
Meanwhile, the theatre community and civil society are rallying in solidarity, determined to ensure that hate has no place in Portuguese culture.
A demonstration “We refuse to live in a country ruled by fear” has been scheduled for this Sunday, June 15, in response to the recent assault on actor Adérito Lopes outside A Barraca theatre in Lisbon.
The protest has been organized by A Rafeira, an artist-led creative collective.
The gathering will take place at 4:00 p.m. in front of the theatre.
“The cowardly neo-Nazi attack on actor Adérito Lopes calls us to stand in solidarity and declare that we will not watch the rise of fascism in silence,” reads the group’s public announcement.
For the organizers, this is not an isolated incident: “We know this is part of a growing wave of attacks targeting migrants, racialized people, workers, the poor, and cultural figures. It is being fueled by judicial impunity, silence, and economic inequality,” they emphasize.
The group urges public participation: “Let’s come together in solidarity, to support one another and to organize for change. It is the task of our time to fight back against inequality without ever sacrificing fundamental rights, especially freedom of expression. This is not the time to stay home.”
The call to action has already been shared hundreds of times on social media.
New neo-Nazi assault in Porto
On Thursday night, it emerged that two female volunteers distributing food to the homeless in Porto were assaulted and insulted by two men performing Nazi salutes and blaming them for rising immigration.
The attack occurred Tuesday night near Rua de Júlio Dinis, where the assailants, reportedly drunk and shirtless, claimed to support the far-right Chega party.
One suspect, 24, was arrested after punching a police officer and is now required to report weekly to authorities.
The second, 27, was identified but not detained.
The PSP confirmed the incident as public disorder involving physical and verbal aggression.