A British-Mexican man recently released from a Qatari prison has revealed his harrowing experience, emphasizing the dangers faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the Gulf nation. In his first interview since returning home, Manuel Guerrero Aviña expressed disbelief at his return, stating, “I never thought I’d return home.”
Guerrero, who claims he was targeted due to his sexual orientation, cautioned other LGBTQ+ travelers to “be careful when visiting Qatar,” adding, “What happened to me could happen to anyone.” His arrest occurred in February when a meeting arranged through a dating app led him to encounter undercover police instead of a potential partner.
Human rights organizations have voiced strong concerns over Guerrero’s detention and trial, labeling it “grossly unfair.” However, Qatari officials maintain that his arrest was solely due to drug-related offenses.
Now 45 years old, Guerrero, a former British Airways employee, is eager to reconnect with his family and return to work after his ordeal. He gained international attention when his family initiated a campaign for his release following his arrest.
In a court hearing earlier this year, Guerrero was convicted of drug possession, subjected to a six-month suspended sentence, fined £2,100, and ordered to leave the country. Upon returning to the UK, he recounted his 44 days of imprisonment, where he experienced profound fear and uncertainty about his release.
“I thought I would never be able to leave,” Guerrero shared. “I was really scared… I never thought I’d return home safely.”
Guerrero has consistently stated that Qatari police planted drugs in his residence as a pretext for his arrest, asserting, “I absolutely deny the drugs charges.” He criticized the focus of his interrogation, which primarily revolved around his sexual partners rather than any drug-related inquiries.
Despite the criminalization of homosexuality in Qatar, Guerrero described living there for seven years without issues, believing that discretion was sufficient for safety. “There seemed to be an unwritten rule that whatever went on in private was OK,” he noted.
During his imprisonment, Guerrero witnessed distressing acts of violence and endured significant hardships, asserting that he was pressured to unlock his phone and provide information on other LGBTQ+ individuals. He highlighted his resolve to protect the identities of others, stating, “Why would I put someone else through that pain?”
While a Qatari official claimed Guerrero was treated with “dignity and respect,” civil rights advocates have criticized the country’s judicial processes. James Lynch, a former British diplomat in Qatar, described Guerrero’s treatment as emblematic of broader issues within the justice system, urging Qatar to address these concerns.
Guerrero, who is living with HIV, expressed the struggle to access his medication while detained, describing the emotional and physical toll of his experience. Now back in the UK, he is grateful for the chance to reconnect with his identity and embrace personal freedoms. “It feels amazing to be able to recover some of the small things that you don’t realize you’ve lost until you have them back,” he said, highlighting the joy of simply being affectionate in public without fear.
