A Ukrainian restaurant in Pontigny, Odivelas, was vandalized this Wednesday using the letter Z, a sign of support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, an intimidation that worries the immigrant association because it targets Ukrainian activists.
“This is a sign of pro-Putin activity in Portugal,” said Pavel Sadhoka of the Association of Ukrainians in Portugal.
This incident followed another similar protest near a bust of Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko in Reshtelo in mid-February.
“It was like this in a public place, but now it’s in a restaurant and next to the owner’s house. Everyone knows that the owner lives there,” said Pavel Sadoka, ruling out the possibility of anti-Ukrainian sentiments in Portugal. .
“We have the full support of the Portuguese society, Portugal supports us and is our friend. These are different things, to intimidate,” he explained, recalling that the owner of the restaurant is “the one who takes upon himself the public protection of Ukraine” and “Some people do not like”.
The restaurant owner told Lusa that the couple had already received other threats, but always took them into account. “There was always business, they called, they spoke Russian and said that they were doing something, but I never called,” he recalls.
This Wednesday they saw two letters Z painted on the walls of the restaurant and want to take the matter to the police.
“You need to know this,” Svetlana said, although she admitted that she now looks at such incidents with different eyes.
“I’m not afraid, but it certainly worries me!” he said.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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