Police Officer indicted for homicide in death of Odair Moniz
The shooting led to unrest across the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, with multiple instances of vandalism and arson.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) has indicted a PSP officer for homicide in connection with the death of Odair Moniz, who was fatally shot in Cova da Moura, Lisbon, last October.
The MP has also requested the officer’s suspension while awaiting the trial outcome.
According to an official statement, the officer is charged with homicide under the Penal Code. The prosecution has also called for a supplementary penalty prohibiting him from serving in law enforcement.
Incident Overview
Odair Moniz, a 43-year-old Cape Verdean resident of Bairro do Zambujal, was shot by a PSP officer on the night of October 21, 2024. He succumbed to his injuries shortly after at São Francisco Xavier Hospital in Lisbon.
The PSP initially reported that Moniz attempted to flee in his car upon seeing a police vehicle and later lost control in Cova da Moura.
Officers claimed he resisted arrest and attacked them with a knife. However, the MP’s indictment, contradicts this narrative, stating that after being shot twice, Moniz fell to the ground and was then struck multiple times with a baton by the officer.
Further complicating the case, the MP has launched a separate investigation into suspected document forgery in the PSP’s official report.
The indictment notes inconsistencies, particularly regarding the timeline of events. The police report, allegedly signed by the officer involved, was written at 2:55 PM on October 21, 2024.
However, records show that the officer was being questioned by the Judiciary Police (PJ) from 2:40 PM to 6:00 PM, making it impossible for him to have authored the document at that time.
The PSP report stated that Moniz was armed with a knife and posed a threat, justifying the use of lethal force.
However, no verifiable evidence linked Moniz to the knife later found at the scene, as forensic tests did not detect his DNA on the weapon. The MP’s indictment does not acknowledge any threats made by Moniz or confirm the presence of a weapon.
Legal Proceedings and Public Reaction
The charge of simple homicide with dolo eventual - where the perpetrator does not intend to kill but knowingly engages in risky behavior - carries a prison sentence of 8 to 16 years.
The case has sparked outrage among civil rights groups, including SOS Racismo and Vida Justa, who have demanded a thorough and impartial investigation. They argue that the case highlights a systemic issue of police impunity.
The shooting led to unrest across the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, with multiple instances of vandalism and arson. Authorities reported dozens of arrests and identified numerous suspects involved in the riots.
Ongoing Investigations
Beyond the criminal case, both the General Inspectorate of Internal Administration (IGAI) and the PSP have launched disciplinary inquiries. The MP decided to investigate the PSP report separately after identifying significant inaccuracies and inconsistencies regarding the circumstances of Moniz’s death.
Despite these developments, the PSP’s national leadership has refrained from commenting extensively on the case, citing judicial confidentiality. A spokesperson reiterated that the PSP upholds the presumption of innocence, stating, “Portugal is a democratic state governed by the rule of law, and we trust in the legal system.”
Currently, the accused officer remains on medical leave, with no set date for his return to duty. He has been reassigned from the police station where he was serving at the time of Moniz’s death.