You Won't Believe What Qatar Did to This Gay British Airline Worker

Submitted by on

A British citizen who served as a former manager for British Airways is currently being held in prison in Qatar after he was arrested because of his sexuality after responding to a fake message on the LGBTQIA+ dating app Grindr.

Manuel Guerrero Aviña, a 44-year-old dual British and Mexican citizen, was imprisoned by Qatari authorities on February 4th after he responded to a message from a fake Grindr profile, which Qatari law enforcement used as an entrapment to arrest him for his sexuality.

“Qatar police used a false Grindr profile to contact Manuel and invite him to participate in a meeting with other people from the LGBT community in the city of Doha,” Manuel’s brother, Enrique, told The Mirror, which reported on the story.

“Manuel was supposed to meet a person he thought he had arranged an appointment with on the night of February 4 but instead encountered police officers who were waiting to arrest him,”  he added. 

Enrique, who is leading a campaign called QatarFreeManuel, also claimed that Qatari authorities had denied Manuel access to life-saving, anti-retroviral medicines for HIV and denied him the right to a lawyer. His relatives also claim Qatari authorities framed him for drug possession by planting a quarter of a gram of methamphetamine in his apartment.

He and other campaigners have been fighting for the release of the Qatar Airways employee, adding that Manuel has been a victim of “cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment,” and he was also asked to identify other members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

“He has been denied the right to a lawyer and has been forced to sign documents in Arabic without a translator to assist him. Even worse, he has been prevented access to antiretroviral medicines he needs to be able to live with HIV, which constitutes an act of torture and puts his life at risk,” the campaigners said.

The Mexican Embassy said that because Manuel registered as a British citizen when he moved to Qatar to work, representatives of the United Kingdom must work with Qatari officials to secure his release. Still, they added they would "do everything within the power of the Mexican state to safeguard Manuel's rights, his dignity, and his access to necessary health treatments."

“With regards to the case of Manuel Guerrero Aviña, who has Mexican and British nationality and is currently under arrest in Doha, the Mexican Embassy in Qatar confirms it has been following developments since it was informed about the detention,” a statement from the Mexican Embassy read, confirming that “it has been in constant contact with his relatives and has confirmed Manuel has legal representation.”

A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office confirmed that it is "providing consular assistance to a British man who is detained in Qatar and are supporting his family."

** UPDATE ** Manuel was granted provisional release, reported on March 17. 

See More Atheist News

If you like our posts, subscribe to the Atheist Republic newsletter to get exclusive content delivered weekly to your inbox. Also, get the book "Why There is No God" for free.

Click Here to Subscribe

Donating = Loving

Heart Icon

Bringing you atheist articles and building active godless communities takes hundreds of hours and resources each month. If you find any joy or stimulation at Atheist Republic, please consider becoming a Supporting Member with a recurring monthly donation of your choosing, between a cup of tea and a good dinner.

Or make a one-time donation in any amount.