Chega members storm radio station in Coimbra

The party claims it was staging a protest against the ban on entry to the building of the Coimbra Academic Association (AAC), imposed by the organisation, which prohibits Chega members from entering the building.

At the time of the storming, a political debate was taking place at the RUC studios, bringing together the youth wings of the parties elected to the Assembly of the Republic. Due to the ban voted through at the Assembleia Magna – a student assembly that brings students together to make decisions regarding the university – in February, Chega had reportedly been invited to participate, but only online, as they were unable to enter the AAC building.

Consequently, the debate was ultimately interrupted following the arrival of the Chega MPs, who were accompanied by other Chega members, led by Rita Matias. RUC’s programme director stated, as quoted by the Lusa news agency, that the presence of the Chega members had been ignored until Rita Matias took one of the studio microphones, at which point the broadcast was cut off by those in charge.

The incident was being recorded by members of Chega, who were asked to leave the RUC premises. The Chega members only left the studio when three PSP officers arrived.

Speaking to the Lusa news agency, Rita Matias denies having taken the microphone away from participants, emphasising that Chega merely intended to “contribute to the debate”, as it considers the AAC’s decision to be neither democratic nor constitutional.

Rita Matias also noted that 17 young party members were present and that she had no intention of remaining at the radio station or disrupting the normal broadcast.

Criminal act

The Journalists’ Union (SJ) issued a statement condemning the invasion of RUC by Chega members, describing it as a criminal act.

“The Journalists’ Union condemns the unacceptable and anti-democratic act of a group of around 30 people, led by two Chega MPs, who stormed the newsroom of RUC, insulted and intimidated students, staff and journalists, and forced the cancellation of a live broadcast,” it stated in a communiqué sent to the Lusa news agency.

The SJ’s statement is supported by the Radio Act, specifically Law No. 54/2010, which aims to punish anyone who prevents or disrupts a radio broadcast with the intention of undermining freedom of programming or information. The penalty carries a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment or a fine equivalent to 240 days’ pay.

Letters to André Ventura

Following the events mentioned, the Student Association Movement (MAE) is reported to have sent a letter to André Ventura, questioning the party leader about the invasion of RUC.

The MAE, on behalf of various academic associations and federations, condemned the invasion, considering that it may constitute an attack on the freedom of programming and information, enshrined in Portuguese law.

MPs identified by the police

Chega MP Rita Matias was identified by the PSP following the invasion of the RUC studio by a delegation of members of that party, according to a police source.

The MP was “identified as the person responsible for a demonstration that did not comply with legal requirements”, an official source from the Coimbra District Command of the PSP told the Lusa news agency.

Rita Matias was the only member of the group – which also included MP Madalena Cordeiro – to be identified following the invasion of the RUC studio and the resulting interruption to the broadcast.

A vice-president of the Coimbra Academic Association (AAC) was also identified, as the association had called the police.

Threats against students

RUC and the AAC also revealed that they had been the targets of threats since the day the events took place. They report receiving several abusive calls from Chega supporters, which reportedly forced the radio station to disconnect its telephone lines.

The AAC states that certain insults claimed that the students should be beaten up, followed by threats revealing that the callers knew the location of the radio station’s studio.

André Ventura’s reaction

André Ventura claims that describing the Chega delegation’s entry into the RUC as an ‘invasion’ is ‘ridiculous’.

At a press conference, André Ventura also stated that Chega MPs “know that anything which defends freedom and pluralism deserves my support”, he said, when asked whether he had been warned about this initiative. The Chega leader also criticised the AAC’s decision and refused to accept that party leaders should be “treated discriminatorily”.

Complaint to the Public Prosecutor’s Office

Following André Ventura’s statements, the AAC said it will lodge a complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office about the break-in at the RUC studio.

At a press conference held late this afternoon, the chairman of the AAC’s executive board, José Machado, stated that the organisation would lodge a complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office, considering that the invasion and subsequent interruption of RUC’s broadcast on Monday morning constituted “a flagrant attack on press freedom”.

Regarding André Ventura’s statements, José Machado considers them to be “a clear sign of disrespect towards the media.”