Four men were convicted in Spain in connection with the homophobic murder of 24-year-old nursing assistant Samuel Luiz, which occurred outside a nightclub in A Coruna in July 2021. The incident sparked protests in cities across Spain and abroad.
Diego Montaña, Alejandro Freire, and Kaio Amaral were found guilty of aggravated murder, while Alejandro Míguez was convicted of complicity in the crime. The jury in A Coruna determined that Montaña, the leader of the group, targeted Luiz based on his perceived sexual orientation, shouting homophobic insults before and after the attack.
Former equality minister Irene Montero highlighted the importance of addressing LGTBIphobia, emphasizing that hateful comments or jokes can escalate into violence that must be stopped.
The jury deliberated for an extended period of five days following a nearly four-week trial. Sentencing is pending, with the prosecution seeking jail terms ranging from 22 to 27 years for the convicted individuals.
According to Interior Ministry data, Spain reported 364 hate crimes related to sexual orientation or gender identity in 2023, leading to 184 arrests. However, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights notes that many hate crimes go unreported, indicating a larger issue that needs to be addressed.
