An 18-year-old Portuguese man has begun to be tried in Portugal for allegedly inciting a school shooting in São Paulo, Brazil, via social media. The incident in question occurred on November 23, 2023, when a 16-year-old boy entered his school in the eastern district of Sapopemba and opened fire with a .38 caliber revolver, injuring three students and killing 17-year-old Giovanna Bezerra da Silva. Investigations led by the Portuguese Public Ministry revealed that the crime was orchestrated from across the Atlantic Ocean, implicating the accused, known as Mikazz online, in encouraging the Brazilian teenager's violent act.

The trial, which began behind closed doors at the court in Santa Maria da Feira, Aveiro district, has drawn attention due to its serious implications involving international collaboration in criminal acts. Prosecutor Felismina Carvalho Franco is overseeing the investigation, and new evidence has been presented during the trial, indicating that incriminating materials were found in the accused's computers. This case sheds light on the global nature of online incitement to violence and the responsibilities that come with digital communication in today’s interconnected world.

The unfolding legal proceedings will likely have repercussions not only within Portugal but also for how countries collaborate on cases involving cross-border crime and online radicalization. The implications of this trial extend beyond the immediate facts; they pose significant questions about the responsibilities of social media platforms in monitoring and preventing use by users to incite violence and other criminal activities.