GNR, on hunger strike for over 15 days, taken to hospital

The PNP sergeant, who had been on hunger strike for more than 15 days in front of Porto City Hall, was taken to hospital this Thursday after feeling “poor and weak,” said a policeman at the scene.

Josias Alves set up camp in Plaza Humberto Delgado on February 6 and began a hunger strike with the aim of “not only receiving a salary commensurate with his socio-professional status”, but also to protest against the “pressure and persecution” of which he was allegedly subject. victim.

Since then, the soldier has been drinking only liquids and on Tuesday admitted to Lusa that he had already lost 14 kilograms since the start of the protest.

This morning, the soldier admitted to a municipal police officer, who expressed solidarity with him, that he was not feeling well.

“He said that he was not feeling well and was weak. He complained that he could not feel his legs, that he was weak, and I realized that his speech did not make sense. Even against his wishes, I called INEM,” the agent said. , who wished to remain anonymous, told Lusa.

Until INEM arrived, a passing doctor helped the soldier and realized that something was happening: “INEM arrived quickly, he was placed in an ambulance and they are with him. I don’t know how he is. “I just hope you don’t get mad at me,” the policeman said.

About 20 minutes after being treated at the scene, Jozias Alves was taken to the hospital for treatment, as seen by Lusa at the scene.

An INEM ambulance caught the attention of some tourists passing by and asked why there was a tent covered in black plastic in the square: “There was a military comrade who fought for everyone. Kudos to him,” responded one GNR. a soldier who, he said, went every day to show “solidarity and honor” to a “comrade in the struggle.”

As he told Lusa on Tuesday, since the start of the protest the soldier had been drinking “only natural juices, rock water, which has a high concentration of calcium and sodium, to support brain function, and an almond drink to concentrate proteins.” and lipids.”

“Every day I notice that I am already losing cognitive abilities, even my speech abilities are not the same, so I feel that I am becoming a little weaker,” he then emphasized.

The soldier, the father of a 14-year-old, believed he was setting “an example of fighting for what you believe in.”

“I think it is possible to get the answers we want if there is political will and determination. They forget that we are also voters and what if we take into account not only those who are active, but also those who are in the reserve. , in retirement and in the pre-reform period, and if you count families, then there may be 500 thousand of them. This is what tips the electoral balance. Maybe it would be a good idea to clearly say what the plans of these professionals are,” he said.

Currently in the service support platoon, 44-year-old Josias Alves from Marco de Canaveses intended with his protest to “warn” civil society about the “desperation” of the GNR, PSP and prison guards.

The sergeant subsequently commanded the GPR territorial post in Aveiro, Casia, Vila Mean and Alpendorada, and was also the coordinator of the civil protection of Marco de Canaveses.