Ruben Candeias, a GNR military soldier accused of torturing immigrants in Odemira, Alentejo, was sentenced on Tuesday to 6 years in effective prison. The other six suspects were sentenced to suspended sentences.
The seven GNR military officers were on trial for a total of 32 crimes against immigrants in Odemira, including kidnapping, abuse of power, and violence.
The trial included soldiers Rúben Candeias, João Lopes, Nelson Lima, Diogo Ribeiro, Nuno Andrade, Carlos Figueiredo, and Paulo Cunha.
Ruben Candeias’ lawyer has not yet decided how to move forward but believes “any effective prison sentencing is excessive.”
The Public Ministry defended the convictions of the seven accused and reminded the public that three of the accused have been convicted in similar cases involving immigrants and their functions at GNR.
He went on to say that the accused “did not fulfill a single one of their duties” in the GNR and chose immigrants as their victims to their vulnerability.
This trial came about as Judiciary Police had found videos and images of immigrants being allegedly beaten, humiliated, and tortured on 5 of the accused’s phones.
