Gay Man Describes Terrifying Gang Rape by Police in Qatar

Qatar is hosting this year's World Cup, to the consternation of human rights watchers. One gay man's story of entrapment and gang rape by police illustrates why many are skeptical ahead of the event, and it bolsters claims that brutal abuses targeting the LGBTQ+ community are commonplace in the country.

inews reported on the account shared by the man, referred to as Ali, who says he went to work in the wealthy oil-producing nation after the death of his father in the Philippines (Note: The story is behind a paywall).

As related in Australian newspaper the Star Observer, "Ali stated that he often used apps to meet and hook up with other gay men – as homosexuality is illegal in Qatar."

But an invitation for an encounter purportedly sent by a Turkish man – like Ali, a guest worker to the country – turned out to be the bait in a trap that saw Ali allegedly raped time after time by a squad of Qatari policemen who then detained and deported him.

In his interview with inews, Ali described being "cornered" in a hotel room by the waiting police.

"I really wanted to jump [out] the window but I can't," Ali recounted, "it's too high and I'm already cornered inside the room."

UK newspaper the Mirror detailed that as the nightmare unfolded – and the Turkish man who had invited him using the app watched – the police "catch me and threw me on the bed," according to Ali's claims. "They started to rape me."

"As soon as one policeman finished assaulting him, he claims another started," the Mirror's account continued. "The police officers then searched his bag, accusing him of being a prostitute, before another gay man arrived after also being lured to a hotel."

Ali described what happened next: "I slept in the jail for one night and when I woke up, they took me to the deportation centre. There I waited for two days to receive my passport and ticket to go back to the Philippines."

"They cancelled all my papers," he said.

The Mirror detailed that "several other gay men have claimed they were 'hunted' in the same way by Qatar's police force," and noted that "Nasser Al Khater, who is in charge of delivering the tournament, has frequently insisted that 'everyone is welcome' in Qatar" – a claim that human rights watchers, especially LGBTQ+ advocates, view with skepticism.

"Despite Al Khater's claims that the country is safe, LGBT+ fan groups have urged supporters from the community not to travel" to this year's World Cup, the Mirror noted.

Khater has downplayed the country's hostile laws, framing the issue as one of "modesty" and insisting that "public display of affection is frowned upon, and that goes across the board..." But, as previously reported, there's more to it than that. Not only does Qatar not recognize same-sex marriage, but just being LGBTQ+ – much less openly advocating for acceptance and equality – is illegal there.

UK newspaper the Guardian pointed to "A 'danger index' compiled in 2019 to guide LGBT travelers" that "rated Qatar as the second most dangerous place to travel for queer people."

The Star Observer reported that "Dr Nasser Mohamed, Qatar's 'first' openly gay man currently works with Human Rights Watch and has confirmed that the sting operation used to entrap Ali is common in the country."

Dr. Mohamed said that the officers involved in such operations are involved with "the Preventive Security Department," which, he added, is "a national security team."

"Dr. Mohamed detailed that the team's 'biggest targets are feminine gay men and transgender women' because those members of the LGBTQ+ community are more 'visible.'"