Portuguese political activist alleges bank account closed

(MENAFN) Portuguese political activist Afonso Goncalves, 24, has alleged that Novobanco, one of Portugal’s major banks, abruptly closed his personal bank account without warning or justification. Goncalves, who founded the right-wing nationalist movement Reconquista in 2023, said the bank failed to provide any reason for the action, despite his formal request for an explanation.

In a video shared on YouTube last Friday, Goncalves stated, “I asked them to send me a reason in writing. They simply said ‘no’.” Known for advocating financial transparency and free speech, he suggested—without offering concrete evidence—that the account closure may be linked to his political beliefs. “This is what happens when you speak the truth. You get shut down,” he remarked.

Under Portuguese law, banks are permitted to close accounts for reasons such as suspected fraud or anti-money laundering compliance. However, they are generally expected to disclose the reason upon request. Goncalves did not indicate whether he plans to pursue a formal complaint or legal action.

The incident comes amid a broader trend of account closures tied to political controversies in Western countries. In the UK, Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, claimed in 2023 that his bank account was closed due to political bias—an allegation later supported by internal documents. In Canada, accounts of Freedom Convoy protesters were frozen in 2022 under emergency powers, targeting individuals financing anti-government demonstrations. Most recently, in Germany, former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder faced blocked payments over his links to Russian energy projects, despite not being under formal sanctions.

Goncalves concluded his video by pledging to continue advocating for financial freedom and warned others of what he called “systemic censorship.”

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