In a landmark case that has gripped Spain, four men have been sentenced to a total of 74 years in prison for the brutal murder of Samuel Luiz, a 24-year-old gay nursing assistant. The attack, which took place almost four years ago in July 2021, shocked the nation and sparked widespread demonstrations demanding justice and an end to homophobic violence.
The court in A Coruña, where the crime occurred, handed down the sentences on Wednesday. Three of the men – Diego Montaña, Alejandro Freire, and Kaio Amaral – were given terms of 24 years, 20 years, and 20 years and six months respectively for their roles in the murder. The fourth man, Alejandro Míguez, who did not physically assault Luiz but was present during the attack, received a 10-year sentence as an accomplice to murder.
The Attack That Shook a Nation
Samuel Luiz was out with friends in the early hours of July 3, 2021, when he stepped outside a nightclub to make a video call. Two passersby accused him of trying to film them, and despite Luiz’s explanation that he was simply talking to a friend, one of the men attacked him, leaving him with a badly bruised face.
Shockingly, the assailant returned minutes later with a group of others who proceeded to brutally kick and punch Luiz until he lost consciousness. He was rushed to the hospital but tragically died from his injuries later that morning.
A Crime Fueled by Homophobia
During the trial, the court heard how the attack was motivated by homophobia. The judge noted that one of the attackers, Diego Montaña, had threatened Luiz using homophobic slurs, saying: “Stop filming, or I’ll kill you, faggot.” This blatant animosity towards Luiz’s sexual orientation then “triggered a totally aggressive reaction” from the group, who viciously beat him, inflicting over 30 separate injuries, mainly to his head and face.
The judge referred to the fact that Montaña had threatened Luiz using homophobic language, saying: “Stop filming, or I’ll kill you, faggot.” Montaña’s animosity towards Luiz because of his sexual orientation then “triggered a totally aggressive reaction against Samuel … [who was] pounced on and kicked and punched, mainly in the head and face”.
The Aftermath: Protests and Calls for Change
Luiz’s murder sparked widespread outrage and led to demonstrations across Spain in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Luiz’s hometown of A Coruña. Protestors carried signs with slogans such as “your homophobia is killing us” and demanded action to address the ongoing issue of violence against the LGBTQ+ community.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez strongly condemned the attack, calling it “a savage and merciless act.” He vowed that Spain would not tolerate such hatred and discrimination, stating: “We will not take a step backwards when it comes to rights and freedoms.”
Justice Served, But More Work to Be Done
While the sentencing brings some measure of justice for Samuel Luiz and his loved ones, it also serves as a somber reminder of the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance in Spain and around the world. The case has reignited conversations about the need for stronger hate crime laws, better education to combat homophobia, and more support for LGBTQ+ individuals who face discrimination and violence.
As part of the sentencing, the court ordered the four convicted men to pay €303,000 (£253,000) in compensation to Luiz’s family. While no amount of money can ever truly compensate for their devastating loss, it is a recognition of the immense pain and suffering they have endured.
The presiding judge, Elena Fernanda Pastor Novo, noted the severity of the crime and the pain it had caused Luiz’s family, who had experienced “significant psychological suffering beyond the pain inherent in the loss of a son and a brother”.
The verdict in Samuel Luiz’s murder case sends a powerful message that hate crimes will not be tolerated in Spain. However, it is also a tragic reminder of the work that still needs to be done to create a society where everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can live freely and without fear of violence or discrimination.
As we remember Samuel Luiz and all those who have lost their lives due to homophobia and transphobia, let us reaffirm our commitment to building a world where love and acceptance triumph over hatred and bigotry. Only then can we truly honor their memory and ensure that their deaths were not in vain.
