I had a fun run-in with the Portugese police a few days ago re Samourai Dev. There's been some updates since from SNDY (I don't know how to link to videos, see Frank Corva/BM). Twatter cross post👇

New info on TDev, or rather more non-info. Portugese Metropolitan Police responded to have no info (this was to be expected).

But here's where it get's interesting. I just called the Policia Judiciaria, and their stonewalling is insane. After identifying myself as a journalist, the officer's tone completely changed. She told me I was not entitled to any information and even refused to give her name. I have never experienced anything like this.

@ Policia Judiciaria: Under Articles 10 and 6(1) of the European Convention on Human Rights, to which your country is a signatory, you are required to inform the press on cases of public interest. In addition, your officers are required to identify themselves on request.

Your agency is thereby not just obstructing the public's right to receive information without interference by public authorities, as well as Mr. Hill's right to transparent judicial proceedings, but also in violation of your own local laws governing identification requirements of public officers. I suggest you get your house in order.

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What’s your read?

Negligence or something nefarious?

No idea but I don't like it. From what I heard PT Police has a history of not giving a shit about press freedom, so for now my working theory is that they are assholes

That seems like a more likely scenario. Just not as spicy, as he is probably a spook.

I appreciate your reporting and posting here. The newsletter is great too.

Thank you!

So what’s next? Can you report their inability to cooperate to anyone?

There would be several human rights courts to address in theory

What’s the likelihood that tdev is a fed?

perhaps try reporting to the Portuguese ombudsman: https://www.provedor-jus.pt/en/ . No idea how effective it is.

Thank you!

In particular: https://www.provedor-jus.pt/en/national-preventive-machanism/the-ombusdman-as-national-preventive-mechanism/

They do visits of prisons, in theory to detect/prevent torture, but not sure if they would visit the prison just because of 1 person. And which prison?

So there is some relation between ombudsman's role and this case, not sure how strong.

Thank you! I spoke with them yesterday and they‘ll see if they can help us