Gay man freed from Qatar after Grindr trap by police
August 15, 2024A British man who was imprisoned in Qatar after being trapped by undercover police operations has finally been allowed to depart by the Qatari authorities and has returned to the United Kingdom after enduring months in harsh conditions, ‘LGBTQ Nation’ reports.
Manuel Guerrero Aviña, a gay individual holding both British and Mexican citizenship, was arrested in February 2024 in Qatar, a nation where homosexuality is prohibited. Previously employed by Qatar Airways, Aviña was charged with drug possession in what was described as a “honey trap.”
Aviña claimed he interacted with deceptive Grindr messages sent by the police. He was enticed to a location in Doha with the expectation of meeting other gay men, where police were positioned to apprehend him. During the arrest, the police reported discovering methamphetamine in his apartment, which Aviña contends was planted.
He was imprisoned on February 4 and received a suspended six-month prison sentence and a fine from Al Sadd Criminal Court in Doha in June.
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While incarcerated, Aviña was denied the antiretroviral medication necessary for managing his HIV-positive condition. He was also compelled to sign documents related to his imprisonment, written in Arabic—a language he does not speak—without the assistance of a translator. Additionally, he was coerced into identifying which contacts in his phone were sexual partners and faced “psychological torture.”
Global advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and Aviña’s family initiated a campaign for his return home, which recently succeeded.
The X account @QatarFreeManuel declared yesterday, “At this moment Manuel flies free and dignified towards London! We are grateful for the unwavering support in this fight for justice. There is no doubt that ‘solidarity is the tenderness of peoples.’”
A statement on the account reads, “Manuel and his family thank you for your tireless support in this emblematic struggle against injustice, against homophobia and in favor of human rights for all people. But, as the saying goes, the struggle goes on, it is not over, and it will not end until there is justice for all people. Manuel’s case, and all the cases we have defended, teach us that only organisation, solidarity and courage can change this world and its injustices.”
Upon his release, Aviña expressed, “Although I welcome the fact that I can leave the country, I still condemn the unfair trial I have been subjected to and the torture and ill-treatment I endured during my preliminary detention.”
He further urged, “I urge the UK and Mexican governments to raise concerns with the relevant Qatari authorities about the unfair trial and the violations of due process.”
Read related myGwork articles here:
British/Mexican man arrested for being gay in Qatar is being denied HIV medications
Gay Flight Attendant Kicked Out Of Qatar Amid Anti-LGBTQ+ Crackdown
Trans Qatari Princess Flees Fearing Persecution
“I Am Very Afraid,” Says Qatari Trans Woman
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