Four men received convictions for their roles in the homophobic murder of a young nursing assistant in July 2021, a crime that prompted widespread protests in Spain and internationally.

The 24-year-old victim, Samuel Luiz, died in a hospital after being assaulted by a group outside a nightclub in A Coruña, Galicia.

Three of the assailants – Diego Montaña, Alejandro Freire, and Kaio Amaral – were found guilty of aggravated murder. Alejandro Míguez was convicted of complicity. A co-defendant, a woman, was acquitted.

Court evidence revealed that Montaña initiated the attack after perceiving Luiz as gay based on his manner and attire.

Montaña allegedly hurled homophobic slurs at Luiz before the assault and made further anti-gay remarks afterward to his accomplices.

Following a four-week trial, the jury returned guilty verdicts against Montaña, Freire, Amaral, and Míguez.

Sentencing is pending, with the prosecution seeking prison sentences ranging from 22 to 27 years.

“Today, 4 attackers have been sentenced for the murder of Samuel Luiz,” stated Irene Montero, Spain’s former equality minister, on X, noting the men used a derogatory term toward the victim. “I hope it helps to make amends for Samuel’s family and friends. Let’s not look the other way: the [LGBTQ-phobia] that kills begins with comments or ‘jokes’ that are hateful, harmful and must be stopped.”

In 2023, Spain recorded over 360 hate crimes targeting sexual orientation or gender identity, leading to 184 arrests, according to Interior Ministry data.

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights highlights that a significant portion of hate crimes go unreported.

Reuters contributed to this report.