Become a Member
World

Portuguese hero still awaiting justice

December 15, 2011 13:57
Artur Barros Basto

By

Richard Zimler,

Richard Zimler

1 min read

Long after his death, the granddaughter of a Portuguese military captain who was humiliated and persecuted for his attempt to re-establish the country's long-lost Jewish community is fighting to rehabilitate his reputation.

Having discovered early in life that he was descended from a Jewish family, Artur Barros Basto went on to found a yeshivah, a community newspaper and a shul in 1920s Porto.

In the 1930s, however, in response to Barros Basto's campaign, Portugal's Fascist government found him guilty of having participated in circumcision ceremonies after investigating him on trumped-up charges of homosexuality. As a result, the government stripped him of his military commission and revoked his pension.

Barros Basto never recovered from his public humiliation. His movement lost all organised support and floundered. After years of emotional and financial difficulties, he died in 1961, almost completely forgotten by the public.

To get more news, click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.