Spanish authorities have arrested three people in relation to the death of Samuel Luiz.

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Samuel Luiz, 24, was attacked while out with friends in the city of A Coruña in the early hours of Saturday morning after an argument started outside a nightclub. He died later in hospital.

Witnesses have reported that a man approached Luiz believing his was filming him with his mobile phone, the victim was actually in the middle of a Facetime conversation, according to his friends.

It has been reported that the attacker used homophobic slurs before assaulting Luiz.

After the attacker punched Luiz, a group of six to ten people set upon him and he was kicked down the street until he lay as if dead. Police have reported the assault occurred over a 150 metre distance as Luiz tried to escape his attackers.

The alleged attack, which occurred during weekend Pride celebrations, sparked a wave of protests across the country with thousands of people taking to the streets to demand an end to anti-LGBTQ+ violence.

In Madrid police came under fire after they used batons to control the crowd. Government spokeswoman Maria Jesus Montero said it was important to highlight Spanish society’s rejection of the crime but the police were justified in their response to restore order.

OIP Staff

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