Portuguese immigration officers arrested on suspicion of killing Ukrainian

LISBON (Reuters) - Portuguese police said on Monday they had detained three immigration officers on suspicion of killing a 40-year-old Ukrainian man who attempted to enter Portugal illegally through Lisbon's airport earlier this month.

In a statement, Portugal's criminal investigation police agency, the PJ, said the alleged crime was committed at a temporary detention centre at Lisbon's airport run by the country's immigration and border service SEF.

PJ said the victim arrived on March 10 and was killed on March 12 after he "allegedly caused some disturbances" at the centre. The three SEF workers were believed to be responsible for his death, the statement said.

SEF confirmed in a statement that three of its officers had been detained on suspicion of murder, adding the director and deputy director of SEF's Lisbon Border Directorate had suspended their duties with immediate effect as result of the incident.

"SEF has been collaborating with the authorities involved in the investigation since the beginning and took the needed disciplinary measures," it said.

Portugal's internal affairs minister said the government had ordered an inquiry into what happened.

Police said the suspects would appear before a judge to answer questions, but did not provide details on when the appearance would take place.

It was not immediately clear whether the three men had appointed lawyers yet to represent them.

(Reporting by Catarina Demony; Editing by Victoria Waldersee and Alex Richardson)