Manuel Guerrero Aviña Talks About His Return from Qatar

A British-Mexican man, known as Manuel, has recounted his harrowing experience after being convicted of drug offenses in Qatar, where he spent six months in detention. Upon returning to the UK, he expressed disbelief at being home, stating, “I never thought I’d return home.” Manuel described his 44 days in a Qatari prison, asserting that police planted drugs in his flat and that his arrest was primarily motivated by his sexuality. During his interrogation, Manuel revealed that police focused extensively on his sexual orientation and relationships, a reflection of Qatar's criminalization of homosexuality. Despite living in the country for seven years without prior issues, he felt that his attempts to be discreet about his sexuality ultimately led to his downfall. He recounted a specific incident on February 4, when he invited a man from dating apps to his home, which triggered the police investigation. While a Qatari official claimed that Manuel was treated with “dignity and respect” during his detention, human rights advocates have criticized the fairness of his trial. James Lynch, a former British diplomat and co-director of FairSquare, described the proceedings as “grossly unfair,” drawing parallels to other similar cases. Now back in the UK, Manuel expressed relief at regaining simple freedoms, such as public displays of affection, which he had to suppress during his time in Qatar. He emphasized the importance of these small liberties, which he had taken for granted before his ordeal.