All nine defendants committed to trial in Portuguese neo-Nazi terror case
Portugal's Central Court of Criminal Instruction has ordered all nine defendants in the Movimento Armilar Lusitano case to stand trial on terrorism charges. The decision, issued on Thursday, 1 October, upholds the full scope of the prosecution's case. Three defendants remain in preventive detention as the case moves toward trial, while the remaining six continue under other coercive measures applied during the investigation.
The Portugal Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed the ruling in a statement published Friday. The court found sufficient evidence to proceed with charges that include founding, leading and joining a terrorist group, weapons trafficking, financing terrorism, recruiting for terrorist activities, and illegal weapons possession. The indictment also covers incitement to terrorism and abuse of power.
A hit list of political figures and journalists
Prosecutors describe the group as a far-right, neo-Nazi, white supremacist organization that sought to overthrow Portugal's democratic regime and install an authoritarian system through violence. The defendants spent years compiling personal data on people they classified as threats — politicians, journalists, academics, artists, activists, and organizations advocating for minority rights, anti-racism and diversity.
The investigation uncovered a list of approximately 120 targets, including current and former senior political figures. Videos recovered from defendants' phones showed test firings of weapons and discussions about future actions, including references to physical punishment and attacks. While some defendants claimed these conversations were jokes, the judge rejected that argument, pointing to concrete evidence: weapons had been manufactured, military equipment purchased, and target dossiers compiled.
Ghost guns and 3D-printed explosives
The case against the group includes the manufacture of firearms and explosives using 3D-printing technology. So-called ghost guns — firearms without serial numbers — were among the items seized, making the weapons untraceable. The arsenal also included mortar grenades, drone grenades, incendiary devices, silencers, and hybrid firearms such as FGC-9 models.
The Polícia Judiciária first moved against the group around a year ago in Operation Desarme 3D. Officers seized explosives, firearms, dozens of rounds of ammunition, 3D printers and computer equipment. The investigation began after online monitoring detected extremist nationalist and far-right content promoting discrimination and violence against immigrants and refugees.
Police officer accused of misusing access
Among the nine defendants is a PSP police chief who was on secondment to the Lisbon Municipal Police. Prosecutors allege he accessed personal data on elected officials and other targets during his time in that position. The case has raised questions about supervision gaps: the disciplinary process against him began only after his arrest, and authorities have acknowledged that not all relevant information was shared between security bodies.
The PSP directorate has classified the officer's involvement as a grave and exceptional case, noting that police officers carry heightened responsibility and are bound by strict codes of conduct.
What happens next
The case now moves to the trial phase at the Lisbon Central Criminal Court. The defendants face multiple terrorism-related offenses, and the court will determine whether the evidence gathered proves they were actively preparing violent acts or simply discussing them. Three defendants — Bruno Carrilho, Bruno Gonçalves and Nuno Pais — will await trial behind bars. A trial date has not yet been set.
