A young man residing in Portugal is facing trial for serious charges related to his alleged role in inciting a violent school attack in Brazil. This trial is being held behind closed doors at the Santa Maria da Feira courthouse in the Aveiro district, where he lived until his preventive arrest in May 2024. The charges against him include public incitement to crime, hate and violence, organized crime association, and over 200 counts of child pornography. His alleged involvement has raised significant concerns regarding online radicalization and the role of social media platforms in facilitating violent acts.

The public prosecution alleges that the defendant led a group of youths on the platform Discord, where they reportedly engaged in violent activities against both people and animals while sharing graphic content. One of the most alarming incidents tied to the group is a shooting that occurred in October 2023 in São Paulo, when a 16-year-old boy opened fire in a school, resulting in the death of a 17-year-old girl and injuries to three other students. Additionally, Brazilian authorities managed to thwart three other planned attacks by youths aged between 12 and 14, indicating a troubling trend of youth involvement in violent crime influenced by online communities.

Despite the serious allegations, the defendant chose to remain silent during the first hearing. His defense attorney argues that he should not be labeled as a 'monster,' emphasizing that while he was part of a group, he did not lead its activities. This trial not only highlights the challenges of addressing online extremism and youth violence but also raises questions about legal accountability for actions taken in digital spaces and the potential influence of virtual platforms on real-world behavior.