Man targeted in Grindr operation leaves Qatar

A British-Mexican man convicted of drug trafficking in Qatar and detained in that country for several months has been allowed to return to the UK.

Manuel Guerrero Aviña, a gay man, claims he was targeted solely because of his sexual orientation and that his detention was “a violation of his human rights.”

The 44-year-old was arrested in February in what his family called a “honey trap operation” involving gay dating app Grindr, and was given a six-month suspended sentence and a £2,100 fine, which he unsuccessfully appealed.

Qatar says Mr Guerrero Aviña’s case concerns only drug possession, which his family says was hidden from him during his arrest.

A statement posted on X said the former airline manager, who is HIV positive and says he has not had regular access to his usual medication, was travelling to the UK for treatment for a few days before heading to Mexico.

The Manuel Guerrero Committee – a group formed by Mr Guerrero Aviña’s family to campaign for his release – said it was pleased he was freed from the “claws of the homophobic state of Qatar”.

They also thanked the citizens of Mexico and Britain, as well as the wider LGBT community and the media, for their support.

They said: “Manuel and his family thank you for your tireless support in this iconic fight against injustice, against homophobia and for human rights for all.”

James Lynch, co-director of the human rights organisation FairSquare, who is also a former British diplomat in Qatar, said the incident had been a “horrific ordeal” for Mr Guerrero Aviña.

He said: “I do not underestimate how much this experience will have cost him.

“He has suffered a terribly unfair trial, which has raised serious concerns among UN experts, and has been deprived of his HIV medication in prison.

“I hope he can find time and space in the coming weeks and months to rest and recover.”

Mr Guerrero Aviña’s family previously told the BBC that he used Grindr in February and arranged to meet a man at his apartment in Doha.

However, when he went to the lobby to meet the man, he was arrested by Qatari police, although he had no criminal history, they said.

His brother claimed that Mr Guerrero Aviña had methamphetamine planted on him and was then “coerced” into accepting that it belonged to him.

HAS a hearing in Doha in June, Mr. Guerrero Aviña was convicted of possession of an illegal substance and was fined.

After a unsuccessful callHe has now been given permission to leave the country.

Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and carries penalties that include fines and prison sentences.

BBC News has contacted Qatari officials for comment and is awaiting a response.

A Qatari official had previously said his arrest was based on possession of illegal substances and that “no other factors were taken into account.”

They said Mr. Guerrero Aviña had been treated with dignity and respect, and that a test had confirmed the presence of drugs in his system at the time of his arrest.

Amnesty International has described his treatment in detention and during his trial as “absolutely horrific”.

The Mexican Foreign Ministry said British and Mexican diplomatic staff accompanied Mr Guerrero Aviña to Hamad International Airport in Doha for his flight back to the UK.

They also thanked the British government for its support during his detention.