Man given permission to return to UK from Qatar

Manuel Guerrero Aviña, a British-Mexican man, has returned to the UK after being convicted on drug charges in Qatar, where he was detained for several months. The 44-year-old, who identifies as gay, claims he was targeted due to his sexuality, describing his detention as a violation of his human rights. Arrested in February during what his family termed a "honeytrap operation" via the gay dating app Grindr, he received a six-month suspended sentence and a £2,100 fine, which he attempted to appeal unsuccessfully. Qatari authorities maintain that Guerrero Aviña's case was strictly related to drug possession, despite his family's assertion that the drugs were planted during his arrest. His family expressed gratitude to supporters from Mexico, Britain, the LGBT community, and the media, emphasizing their appreciation for the collective effort against injustice and homophobia. They described Guerrero Aviña's situation as emblematic of broader human rights struggles. James Lynch, co-director of the human rights organization FairSquare, characterized Guerrero Aviña's experience as a "horrendous ordeal," highlighting the unfair trial and the deprivation of his HIV medication while in prison. He expressed hope that Guerrero Aviña would find time for recovery after such a traumatic experience. Guerrero Aviña's arrest occurred after he arranged to meet someone in Doha, leading to his conviction in June. Homosexuality remains illegal in Qatar, with severe penalties, and BBC News has reached out to Qatari officials for further comment on the case.