Police investigate homophobic assault at knifepoint in Madrid

Vicious attack in which eight hooded men forced their way into home of gay man sparks condemnation

Police in Madrid are investigating a vicious homophobic attack in which eight hooded men forced their way into the home of a young gay man, held him down at knifepoint and carved the word faggot" into one of his buttocks.

The assault, which took place in the central Madrid neighbourhood of Malasana on Sunday afternoon, came two months after the murder of Samuel Luiz, a 24-year-old gay man who was beaten to death while out with friends in the Galician city of A Coruna. The killing sparked nationwide revulsion and protests, and led to calls for action to tackle hate speech and protect LGBTI people.