The key facts
- El País: calls to attack police and demonstrators found on a website allegedly linked to ISIS
- Portugal's SSI confirms it is 'closely monitoring' the situation
- Protests over the cost of living and the housing crisis are taking place in Lisbon, Porto, Madrid; in France, an estimated more than 800,000 people took part
Calls for attacks amid mass protests
Spanish authorities have reportedly discovered calls by jihadist groups to attack police officers and demonstrators during protests taking place in a number of European countries, including Portugal. According to the Spanish newspaper El País, Spain's Interior Ministry identified messages on a website allegedly linked to the 'Islamic State' (ISIS) group calling for attacks during protests that have been going on for several weeks in Portugal, Spain, France and Italy.
Reaction of the Portuguese authorities
Portugal's Internal Security System (SSI) told the Lusa agency that it is 'closely monitoring' the situation. According to the SSI, the system's secretary-general 'is closely monitoring the situation within the scope of his competence and is in constant contact with the relevant authorities'.
Document from the Cyber Coordination Office
El País reports that it has seen an internal document from the Cyber Coordination Office containing messages urging militants to take advantage of mass demonstrations and street clashes to carry out attacks. According to the outlet, the authors of the messages consider the way the protests are organized a 'rare opportunity' for attacks, noting that the police 'become easy prey' during clashes with demonstrators. The jihadists, it is claimed, also gave practical advice on carrying out attacks, calling for 'martyrdom' through suicide bombings or vehicle attacks on people.
Context of the protests
The protests peaked over the past weekend amid a wave of violence in France, where buildings such as the Limoges city hall and the Lyon tourist office were set on fire and largely destroyed. Violent incidents, including arson, also occurred in Italy, especially in Milan. In Portugal and Spain, daily protests and 'tent camps' on the squares of the largest cities, primarily Lisbon, Porto and Madrid, are driven mainly by the rising cost of living and the housing crisis. According to available estimates, the protests in France alone drew more than 800,000 people over the past weekend.
