In Cuiabá, Brazil, the local Criminal Special Court has rejected a criminal complaint filed by psychologist Douglas Luiz Rocha de Amorim regarding a physical assault he endured over a year ago, which he claimed was motivated by homophobia. The ruling, made by Judge Maria Rosi de Meira Borba, stated that the complaint was dismissed due to the expiry of the legal timeframe necessary for the prosecution to proceed. As a result, the accused is no longer subject to criminal charges stemming from the incident.

Douglas reported being attacked inside the restroom of a nightclub, which he claimed led to a severe convulsive crisis following the incident. Despite his assertions of physical harm and the context of homophobia that framed his allegations, the judicial system ultimately found procedural issues with the timing of the filing, rendering his complaint inactive. This has raised concerns within the LGBTQ+ community regarding the accessibility and responsiveness of the legal framework in cases of hate crimes.

The rejection of the complaint may have broader implications for how similar cases are prosecuted in Brazil, highlighting ongoing challenges faced by victims of discrimination seeking justice. It emphasizes the need for timely responses in the justice system to ensure that victims of hate crimes are afforded their rights and that their cases are given the due consideration they deserve, especially in the context of growing social awareness about homophobia and its repercussions.