In an unusual judicial move, a Portuguese court has sentenced an arsonist to jail.The convicted man, by his own admission, drunk two litres of red wine and then wandered off to set light to the countryside on the worst day of fires the country has even seen. He received a two year, six month sentence which was not suspended.
The fire he set in Oliveira de Azeméis, to the south of Porto, on October 15, 2017, quickly spread through the forest, consuming an area of 16 hectares of bush, pine and eucalyptus.
The only reason the flames did not reach a chapel and properties was due to the prompt and effective action of the firemen.
During the reading of the judgment, the presiding judge said that the facts put by the prosecution all had been proved.
During the reading of the judgment, the presiding judge said that the facts put by the prosecution all had been proved.
"There is no doubt that you did the things of which you are accused," said the judge, adding that the defendant had confessed to the crime and had even helped in a reconstruction that, "clearly indicated how he acted."
The judge said that the defendant did not offer any reason as to his behaviour, "He said it just got into his head, but we suspect it was because nobody wanted to play cards with him or give him a glass of wine."
The court heard how the accused, "has a personality that fits the typical Portuguese arsonist, with low self-esteem, social isolation and alcoholism.”
Although the defendant did not have a previous criminal record, the court decided not to suspend the sentence, due the serious nature of the crime.
According to the Public Prosecutor's Office, the defendant set fire to four different points in a forest near the São Marcos chapel in Fajões, Oliveira de Azeméis. When he tried to set light to a fifth area, next to some houses, he was surprised by a resident and fled but he was intercepted by several popular who kept him until the GNR arrived.
October 15th, 2017, was considered the worst day of the year in terms of forest fires, with almost 500 incidents recorded, firefighting crews stretched to the limit and the body count rising.
Comments
You are right to be vigilant regarding hate speach toward Muslims.
But can I bring to your attention, that there are a few individuals who post anti-Portugal comments on this site and these are clearly offensive and constitute hate speech.
I find it hard to understand people who leave their own countries of origin and move somewhere, only to constantly complain about the people of Portugal, as if the country or the people are to blame for some of the short comings of the Government of the day. I would suggest if they can't cope with daily life in Portugal, then please leave, as you are prolonging your departure and creating unnecessary upset for those of us who live, love and enjoy Portugal.
Like I said before, if you can back YOUR validated opinion with some concrete facts than you have the right to say that 2/3 of the Portuguese population have the same personality as this criminal arsonist. Otherwise we just have to treat your comment as gross generalisation or outright prejudice.
I think you're the one who should read the 8th paragraph again because you are the only one that thinks 2/3 of the Portuguese population have low self-esteem, are socially isolated and suffer from alcoholism.
Don't know how stating the obvious and pointing out a validated opinion can be obstrued as hate speech. Fires in Portugal is a deep rooted and sinister subject that has a systematic failing in that people have started them deliberately. Social profiling is what is need to understand this..not apathy and back pating.
I shall brush up on the guidelines and be on the lookout. Currently, I am dealing with a swathe of anti-Muslim comments - all of which remain unpubished. In comparison, JR's often pointy comments are mild but I will be vigilant. The main differentiation is between personal comments about other readers (not OK) and generalisations - however misinformed or annoying.
I understand where you are coming from, regarding respect for others comments and will be cognizant of this issue in the future.
However, I consider derogatory remarks such as (The accused has a personality that fits 2/3 of the population) to be "Hate Speech", and hope that the reader's will not have to be subjected to this any further as it is unfair to refer to the whole nation regarding the actions of a few individuals.
500 fires on the same day in different locations can not be considered the work of half wits with matches.
Can I draw you attentions (yet again) to 'Commenting reader Guidelines' "1. Respect one another. Please refrain from posting offensive, obscene, threatening or abusive comments. If you personally attack other readers or writers, your comment and responses to those comments may be removed from the discussion. Attacks create a hostile environment that discourages discussion. You are fully responsible for libelous or defamatory comments.
2. Hate-speech will not be tolerated. Comments containing racism, homophobia, sexism, or any other form of hate-speech have no place on our site."
You are a Spec..ticul, with your constant waffling and continual delusional nonsense.
You should not be allowed to contribute to the ADN any further, as your comments are always of a derogatory nature toward the warm hearted Portugese people.
I have come to the conclusion that you have a sadistic streak and find enjoyment in belittling the Portuguese nation. This behaviour should be stopped immediately by Ed as it is clearly racist.