Portuguese police arrested on Tuesday January 24 a man suspected of having threatened President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa with death by sending him a letter containing a bullet from a firearm and demanding a million euros.
The suspect's arrest is the result of a "
thorough investigation
" which identified the alleged perpetrator of threats dating back to October 26, the judicial police said in a statement.
In search of money
After the search of his home, the authorities suspect this individual, who has a criminal record, of acts of coercion, attempted extortion and illegal possession of a weapon.
“
This person probably wanted money.
It was not a political threat
, ”reacted the president, saying he did not take this matter very seriously.
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"
I have not seen the letter
" but its author claimed "
one million euros
", "
a sum that I did not have anyway
", he told the media, specifying that the author mail there "
communicated a telephone number and a bank account number
".
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, 74, is a former law professor and political commentator who, once he became head of state in 2016, continued to reach out to his compatriots without giving much importance to questions of security or protocol.