Tribunal Changes Judge and Section in Case of Police Officer Accused of Killing Young Man

The trial of a police officer from the Department of Investigation of Penal Illicit (DIIP) accused of killing a 24-year-old man in Luanda has been transferred to a new section and judge. The case was being heard in the 5th section of the Luanda District Court, also known as "Dona Ana Joaquina" court. However, the judge, Biscay Kassoma, claimed he no longer had the psychological conditions to continue with the trial. This decision came after he initially ruled to release the accused, Hélder Dimas Paulino, due to excessive pre-trial detention.

The incident occurred on November 22, 2025, at a fuel station in Morro Bento, Luanda. The police officer, who was off-duty but armed, got into an argument with the victim at a convenience store. The victim had gone to the store to make a payment. The officer demanded to be attended to immediately, which led to a discussion. After the victim left the store, the officer followed him, shot him at close range, and fled the scene.

Judge Biscay Kassoma had initially decided to release Hélder Dimas Paulino on provisional liberty due to excessive pre-trial detention of 11 months. This decision sparked widespread criticism and legal debates across various sectors of society. However, hours later, the court reassessed the personal coercive measures applicable to the case and maintained the accused's pre-trial detention.

The trial was set to resume on October 29 but was postponed to a later date and transferred to another section. The court has now removed the case from the 5th section and will refer it to another section for judgment, effectively removing Judge Biscay Kassoma from the case. The reasons behind the transfer and the new section and judge assigned to the case have not been disclosed.

The case has garnered significant attention due to concerns over police conduct and accountability. The accused, Hélder Dimas Paulino, was a 1st sub-chefe at the DIIP. The incident has raised questions about the use of force by law enforcement officers and the judicial process in handling such sensitive cases.

The victim's family and the community have been awaiting justice for over a year since the incident. The change in judge and section may further delay the trial, adding to the concerns about the efficiency and fairness of the judicial process in Angola. The new developments have not been commented on by the court or the police department.

The case is set to continue in the new section with a new judge. The prosecution and defense will need to adapt to the changes, and the trial will likely proceed with a re-evaluation of the evidence and testimonies. The outcome of the case will be closely watched by the public and human rights organizations.

Key points

• The trial of the police officer accused of killing a young man in Luanda has been transferred to a new section and judge due to the initial judge's claim of lacking psychological conditions to continue with the trial.