An arrest that turned to violence was captured on a smart phone and posted on social media, to the embarrassment of the GNR where an internal investigation has been launched.
GNR Command confirms having knowledge of the video, and says it is "in the process of internal investigations in order to ascertain all the circumstances."
The posting showed a man being led away after his arrest between Faro and Olhão, and then being attacked by officers.
The detainee is said to have an extensive criminal past, is suspected of attempted murder and of more than a dozen robberies and now faces charges for drug trafficking and violent crimes.
The 30-year-old Portuguese national has been convicted in Norway, where he was expelled after serving his sentence, is considered dangerous and is usually armed.
The incident occurred on 11 October after a GNR car chase following a robbery in a supermarket in São Brás de Alportel. The get-away car ended up on the EN125 in Olhão where it was stopped and one of the occupants was arrested. The other fled but was caught by GNR officers.
The video shows the moment when the two GNR officers, having handcuffed the suspect, lead him away to a nearby wall, apparently to be frisked but assaulted him.
The following day, the GNR announced the arrest of the two men for robberies from shops in Albufeira, Almancil, Faro, São Brás de Alportel, Olhão and Tavira.
"They stole the money from tills after threatening employees," claimed the GNR, adding that a knife was found in the suspects’ car as well as cocaine and money.
The pair was conditionally released but the man in the video again was arrested the very next day by the PSP on suspicion of drug trafficking and violent crimes. Again, cocaine was seized plus heroin, a replica firearm and equipment used to break into premises.
The GNR claim the video has been removed from social mediabut it is avaiable here:
