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On February 4, the police in Qatar set up a trap for Manuel Guerrero Aviña, a Mexican national, using the dating app Grindr, which serves the LGBTQ community. He was lured to a meeting place in Doha where he was detained by plainclothes agents. Drugs were allegedly planted on him to justify his arrest. He was later sentenced to six months in prison, but the Mexican Foreign Ministry stated that he could leave the country after paying a fine.
However, the Manuel Guerrero Liberation Committee, composed of activists, friends, and family, disputed the Mexican government’s version of events. They claimed that the case was not closed as the sentence was not final and could be appealed by both Guerrero and the prosecution. The Committee accused the Mexican government of misinformation regarding the case.
Authorities in Qatar stated that Guerrero Aviña was arrested for possession of illegal substances, not based on his sexual orientation. They claimed that he admitted to possessing the drugs found on him during a drug test. However, Guerrero’s family maintained that the drugs were planted on him by the police.
According to Amnesty International, Guerrero Aviña was held without charge for over six weeks and subjected to interrogation and ill-treatment due to his sexual orientation and HIV positive status. He was denied access to legal representation and faced unfair trial procedures. Guerrero’s treatment in custody was harsh, and Amnesty International called for his conviction to be overturned.
The case has garnered international attention due to concerns about human rights violations and discrimination against the LGBTQ community in Qatar. Guerrero’s family and supporters continue to fight for justice and call for a fair resolution to the case.