CHEGA leader André Ventura (and wife) receive death threats

CHEGA leader André Ventura has filed a complaint to PSP police following a “series of persistent (death) threats” – the latest allegedly targeting his wife.

Speaking to Observador online, the right-wing leader stressed the need for authorities to investigate the various threats directed at him—and members of his family—before considering whether to strengthen his security measures.

News of the latest death threat against Mr Ventura was first reported by Correio da Manhã, and confirmed to Observador by the CHEGA president himself.

Less than two weeks ago, Ventura explains that he received a letter at his home containing an A4 sheet of paper bearing the message: “Death to both of you.”

The message, sent to Ventura’s home address, was interpreted as being a threat aimed not only at the CHEGA leader, but also at his wife, Dina.

Ventura reported the incident to the security forces serving at the Assembly of the Republic and presented witnesses. To Observador, Ventura emphasised this was not an isolated threat.

“There have already been several, one of them in parliament during the visit of the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament,” he recalled, referring to the threat allegedly made directly at CHEGA’s office in the parliamentary building on May 6 – the day Ruslan Stefanchuk was visiting the Portuguese parliament. In this case, an A4 sheet found in the party’s office read: “Bomb 3:45 p.m.”

Ventura argues that the latest threat, delivered to his home, carries similarities to the others, suggesting they may have come from the same source: “It is essential to determine whether this series of persistent threats with similar patterns is connected or not,” he told Observador.

Following that assessment, he said, he will evaluate whether to seek stronger personal security measures.

At present, Ventura is accompanied at all times by a permanent two-person security team responsible for ensuring his safety, writes Observador.

To Correio da Manhã, the CHEGA leader said: “All of this is deeply disturbing. Even with the security team’s impeccable work, it’s very unsettling to live in fear, especially the fear that they might attack your family.”

The death threats, and André Ventura’s public acknowledgemet of them, come in the wake of revelations that a number of political VIPs – including the prime minister – were on an alleged list of target of a group of Portuguese neo-Nazis, one of them understood to be a PSP police officer.

Source: Observador/ Correio da Manhã

Natasha Donn

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.