Prison guard, with previous conviction, arrested without administrative repercussions following incarceration.
Loose Cannon: The Saga of Prison Guard João Vaz
Here's the lowdown on prison guard João Vaz, who found himself in hot water after the dust settled on the far-right rally in Lisbon's Rossio square. The Ministry of Justice (MJ) spilled the beans on the goings-on, and we've got the deets for you.
You see, João Vaz was found guilty in the 'Hammerskins' case, slapped with a six-month prison sentence, but don't start celebrating just yet. The sentence was suspended for a year, and he was acquitted of charges like racial, religious, or sexual discrimination, and aggravated physical integrity offense.
Now, here's where things get juicy. Back in 2022, the Central Criminal Court handed down the verdict, but the Directorate-General for Reintegration and Prison Services (DGRSP) only found out about it in February 2023, a whopping two and a half years later! The decision isn't final yet, as there's still an appeal pending at the Lisbon Court of Appeal (TRL).
The DGRSP explained that since the actions happened in João's private life and weren't related to his duties, a disciplinary process might've been kicked off, but only after considering the nature and gravity of the actions and preserving the principle of innocence until proven guilty.
However, things changed after the April 25th incidents, where João found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The DGRSP felt the public uproar and gravity of his actions meant a disciplinary process was immediately initiated, which resulted in his suspension for 90 days.
But hold up, there's more. According to the MJ, the suspicions against João, for assaulting PSP agents during the disturbances, do violate the professional status of prison guards, which justifies the disciplinary inquiry.
So there you have it. João Vaz, a man with a troubled past, found himself in the thick of it again after the far-right rally. As the investigation and appeals continue, it remains to be seen how this saga will unfold.
Bonus Nugget: It's worth noting that, based on the available information, there's no direct link between João Vaz's current troubles and the 'Hammerskins' case or April 25th incidents as far as official documentation goes. However, the complexities of judicial and administrative processes often require careful scrutiny to untangle the web of circumstances. Stay tuned for updates!
- João Vaz, the subject of "Loose Cannon: The Saga of Prison Guard João Vaz," was previously convicteds related to the 'Hammerskins' case, earning a six-month prison sentence, but the sentence was suspended for a year.
- The transmitted information about João Vaz's convictions in the 'Hammerskins' case was received by the Directorate-General for Reintegration and Prison Services (DGRSP) two and a half years late, in February 2023, despite the Central Criminal Court's verdict in 2022.
- In response to João Vaz's recent altercations on April 25th, politics and general-news outlets have been reporting on the general-crime-and-justice aspects involved, as the DGRSP initiated a disciplinary process against him due to the gravity of his actions, resulting in his suspension for 90 days.
- The MJ cites that the allegations against João Vaz for assaulting PSP agents during the April 25th incidents are a violation of the professional status of prison guards, justifying the ongoing disciplinary inquiry.
