Brit BA worker, 44, 'being tortured in Qatar jail' after being caught in Grindr sting by brutal morality police | OT3D925 | 2024-02-28 19:08:02
Former British Airways supervisor Manuel Guerrero's household claim he's being tortured in jail after being held for responding to a pretend message on gay courting app Grind
A BRITISH man is allegedly being tortured in a prison in Qatar after being arrested in a twisted police sting.
Former British Airways supervisor Manuel Guerrero's household claim he's being tortured in jail after being held for responding to a pretend message on gay courting app Grindr.
The 44-year-old airline worker has been behind bars since February four but his plight has solely emerged in the previous few days following a campaign by his kin to get him released.
The Overseas Office confirmed at present it was providing consular assistance and helping Manuel's household along with Mexican diplomats, as Manuel has twin British and Mexican nationality.
UK diplomats are the ones coping with officials in Qatar as Manuel registered as a British nationwide there when he moved to the Middle East for work.
Manuel's brother Enrique claimed final night time his sibling was in prison for "being homosexual" and claimed he was being tortured by being denied antiretroviral medicines for his HIV and had been pressured to witness prisoner whippings.
He stated: "Qatar police used a false Grindr profile to contact Manuel and invite him to participate in a meeting with other individuals from the LGBT group in the metropolis of Doha.
"Manuel was supposed to satisfy an individual he thought he had organized an appointment with on the night time of February 4 however as an alternative encountered cops who have been ready to arrest him arbitrarily."
Enrique, by means of a social media campaign QatarFreeManuel which he's fronting, added: "In the course of the arrest police planted 1 / 4 of a gram of methamphetamine on him to incriminate him for the crime of drug possession and as of in the present day he stays unjustly imprisoned."
Manuel's household say he is due to study in courtroom subsequent month whether he can be expelled from Qatar or face trial.
They worry a trial, with out correct remedy for his HIV, would go away him with a dying sentence hanging over his head.
His brother Enrique stated: "Our battle goes to proceed till Manuel is released.
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> "He's been disadvantaged of antiretroviral drugs he needs for his HIV for almost a month now and that in itself is an act of torture which is being dedicated by the state of Qatar and is putting his health and life at risk.
"It's not something that's straightforward to remedy now and would require specialist evaluation."
He added in a Mexican TV interview: "Qatar penalises homosexuality and any points pertaining to sexual variety but that's what Qatar believes as a result of human rights supersede their homophobic legal guidelines.
"Sexual orientation, sexual variety is a human proper, not a criminal offense."
Claiming his brother had also been "psychologically tortured" as a part of a drive by authorities in Qatar to get info out of him about other members of the LGBT group, Enrique stated: "Qatar did not inform Britain and Mexico concerning the arrest.
"It was because of us pressuring consular officials because we couldn't find Manuel that they started on the lookout for him.
"We didn't find out for three days where he was but he spent 23 days with out an interpreter and the whole lot is in Arabic and he's spent 23 days with no lawyer or anybody telling him why he'd been arrested.
"He moved to Qatar for work reasons. In Qatar homosexuality is banned however that doesn't imply these legal guidelines are truthful or right. We're speaking on the end of the day a few human proper, not a criminal offense.
"On March 13 he has a courtroom listening to the place public prosecutors can determine whether or not to expel him or put him on trial.
"Sending the case to trial would suggest a means of months which without satisfactory medical remedy would condemn him to demise.
"It's very critical what's occurring underneath an act of torture."
In hard-hitting criticism of Manuel's remedy, campaigners preventing to get him freed from "solitary confinement" stated: "From the second of his arrest, he has been the sufferer of cruel, inhumane and degrading remedy as nicely of act of psychological torture.
</div> </div> "Authorities tried to drive him to determine in his phone contacts other members of the LGBT group as well as forcing him to witness the struggling of different detainees whereas they have been whipped.
"He has been threatened, remoted, deprived of food and adequate water because of his sexual orientation and health situation.
"He has been denied the best to a lawyer and has been pressured to signal paperwork in Arabic and not using a translator to help him.
"Even worse, he has been been prevented entry to antiretroviral medicines he wants to be able to reside with HIV, which constitutes an act of torture and places his life in danger."
Mexican diplomats say they're conscious of Manuel's plight and are aiding UK authorities and his family however say British diplomats are taking the lead.
The Mexican Embassy in Qatar insisted, referring to Manuel by his full identify: "On the subject of the case of Manuel Guerrero Avina who has Mexican and British nationality and is at present underneath arrest in Doha, the Mexican Embassy in Qatar confirms it has been following developments since it was knowledgeable concerning the detention.
"It has been in constant contact together with his kinfolk and it has confirmed Manuel has legal illustration.
"Given the arrested man has registered his residence in Qatar as a British nationwide, the consulate of that nation in Doha has been the entity recognised by the authorities in Qatar to hold out the related consular activities on his behalf.
"The Mexican Embassy will continue to comply with the case along with the British Embassy in Doha, and can stay in touch with Manuel's family."
A spokesman for the Overseas and Commonwealth Workplace confirmed this afternoon: "We are providing consular assistance to a British man who is detained in Qatar and are supporting his household."
Manuel moved to Qatar for work and introduced on social media 9 months ago he was beginning a brand new job as Appearing Head of Product Improvement and Service Design at Qatar Airways.
He describes himself professionally as a British and Mexican passport holder with a robust understanding of the airline business and "18 years of expertise" in several airlines and a level in business management.
He spent almost 10 years working for British Airways, becoming a member of the airline as an air steward and progressing to managerial roles.
He has additionally worked for Lufthansa, American Airways and Star Alliance.
He says of himself on LinkedIn: "I reside and work by my personal motto: 'Ardour for Service'
"British and Mexican passport holder with a robust understanding of the airline business supported with 18 years of expertise in all kinds of roles in several airlines and a level in business management.
"I am a robust staff participant, capable of cooperate and work nicely with friends and senior managers alike to realize widespread goals.
"Self-motivated and enthusiastic individual with robust communication expertise."
The UK's Overseas, Commonwealth and Improvement Office has been approached for a comment.
Qatar's human rights and migrants' rights report was on the centre of controversy over its hosting of the last World Cup.
Anyone found collaborating in same-sex sexual exercise might be punished by up to seven years in jail in Qatar.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino lashed out at Qatar's critics in a bizarre speech earlier than the beginning of the World Cup in November 2022.
He stated in a weird press convention: "'In the present day I have robust emotions,' he stated. 'Right now I really feel Qatari. Right now I really feel Arab. At present I really feel African. At present I feel gay. In the present day I really feel disabled. At present I feel a migrant worker.
"And I really feel this because what I've seen and it brings me again to my personal story. I'm a son of migrant staff."
Nicholas McGeechan, director of human rights analysis group Truthful Sq. described his comments at the time as "absolute crass" and steered he was getting his talking points direct from the Qatari authorities.
Qatari riot police participate in a army parade through the Gulf emirate's Nationwide Day celebrations in Doha[/caption]
Qatari police patrol on horseback outdoors of the Lusail Stadium in the course of the Qatari World Cup[/caption]
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