He has since apologised, but comments of a furious taxi driver during protests outside Lisbon airport on October 10 are now the subject of a Public Ministry inquiry, due to complaints by the Commission of Gender Equality. The man’s declarations that “laws are like virgins, they need to be raped” constitute “an attack on the dignity, liberty and sexual autodetermination of women and girls” claims the Commission, and require prosecution.
The comments came during scenes that descended into complete disarray, and the taxi driver’s fury – focused on Uber and other digital platform services – has failed to warm either the authorities or the country’s public to their cause.
It now remains to be seen whether the Public Ministry moves forwards with a criminal prosecution.
