The interview took place at the youngster’s grandparents’ home in Sacavém and featured a brief chat with victim Rúben Cavaco, in which he was asked about the incident.
Lawyer Santana-Maia Leonardo has penned a letter to the highest echelons of Portuguese establishment, including to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister António Costa, to express his “indignation and anger” regarding RTP’s interview.
Leonardo says the broadcaster’s team was given the green light to speak to the boy’s mother, but was specifically asked not to speak to Rúben, not only due to the ongoing investigation but also due to the boy’s physical and psychological state of health.
The lawyer claims the journalist abused the permission and mother and son were allegedly “hoodwinked” by the broadcaster, which also disrespected a request not to air the piece.
The interview, including footage of Rúben in his bed at his grandparents’ home where he is recovering, was aired on Saturday, when the boy turned 16.
He was released from Lisbon’s Santa Maria hospital last Friday, 2 September, after almost two weeks in hospital, one of which he spent in an induced coma due to the extent of his injuries.
Santana Leonardo said RTP gave their “word of honour” that they would not speak to Rúben, and the lawyer claims when he found out what had gone on, he “called RTP and asked for them not to air the statements”, twice.
“They didn’t want to know. Airing the report was a complete abuse and a huge betrayal”, he told newspaper Correio da Manhã.
Rúben Cavaco’s mother, Vilma Boto, told the newspaper she was unaware of the commitment made between the lawyer and the broadcaster and therefore allowed the team to speak to her son.
Meanwhile, Portugal has asked Iraq for “urgency” in lifting the diplomatic immunity bestowed on the ambassador’s twin sons, who have admitted their involvement in the violent attack.
While no answer has as yet been obtained, a meeting is scheduled for next week, to take place during the UN General Assembly in the United States, between the Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs and his Iraqi counterpart.
The UN General Assembly takes place between 19 and 23 September in New York.
The Portuguese Ministry for Foreign Affairs has already formally asked Iraq to lift the protection, but at the time of going to press no answer had yet been received.
Rúben Cavaco, then aged 15, sustained multiple fractures during the attack in Ponte de Sor by the Iraqi ambassador’s 17-year-old twin sons, on 17 August.