Manuel Guerrero Aviña, a Mexican-British citizen and gay man, was arrested in Qatar in February after being lured via a fake Grindr account purportedly created by Qatari police. Seeking to meet a man named "Gio" in his apartment lobby, Aviña instead encountered police officers who charged him with drug possession, alleging methamphetamine was found in his possession. Aviña’s family and Amnesty International contend he was ensnared due to his sexual orientation, accusing the authorities of creating the fake profile and coercing him under duress.
Aviña’s brother, Enrique, claims Aviña was forced to sign Arabic documents he did not understand and was pressured to admit to possessing drugs. Enrique also stated that officials interrogated Aviña about other gay individuals, questioning the official claim that the case solely pertained to drug charges. Amnesty International described Aviña’s detention conditions as "nothing short of horrific" and raised concerns over procedural fairness and potential discriminatory motives.
Aviña’s health is at risk due to a lack of access to his essential HIV medication. Despite Enrique's efforts to provide the medication to Qatari authorities, it reportedly never reached Aviña. Blood tests have indicated worsening health as a consequence. The UN’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention expressed "deep concerns" regarding the reported unjust treatment and denial of medical care.
After 44 days in prison, Aviña was released but continues to face trial, with a looming sentence of 6 months to 3 years if convicted. Human Rights Watch has highlighted the use of digital entrapment to persecute LGBTQ+ individuals in the Middle East, further spotlighting Aviña’s case within broader systemic issues.