I was gang-raped by Qatari police for being gay after being lured on dating app ahead of World Cup… – The Sun
AN expat claims he was lured to a hotel on a dating app before being gang-raped by police in Qatar because he is gay.
The victim, from the Philippines, was working as an office assistant in the World Cup host country when he says he was confronted by six men.
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He claims he received a message on a gay dating app from another man who said he was a Turkish worker offering him a substantial sum of cash to come to his hotel room.
But when the victim arrived at the tenth-floor room he was met by six men who identified themselves as Qatari cops.
He says he considered trying to jump out of the window but was cornered.
The man told inews: “They catch me and threw me on the bed. They started to rape me.”
He says the officers raped him one by one – except a Turkish man who was “laughing”.
The victim added: “When they finished, they opened my bag and checked all my things, looking for proof, saying, ‘This is prostitute, this is gay’.”
He claims an Indonesian man was snared the same night in 2018 as he also turned up at the hotel room.
They were both taken to a police station, where they were fined 300 Qatari Rial (around £74).
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The victim says he was then deported after spending a night in a jail cell.
In Qatar, homosexuality is illegal and is punishable under the country’s penal code with up to seven years in prison.
Charity Stonewall has described the victim’s report as “shocking”.
A spokesman told The Sun: “Our thoughts go out to the survivor of this terrible attack.
“This story underlines the reality for LGBTQ+ people in Qatar, who are criminalised simply for being themselves, and denied the protection of the law.
“Here in the UK we can use our voices to call on Governments, sporting bodies and multinational businesses to raise human rights concerns with Qatari authorities ‘
“When we pledge our support for LGBTQ+ Qataris it sends an important message that football fans stand in solidarity with marginalised groups in Qatar and in 70 countries across the world who continue to face horrific persecution for simply being themselves. “
It comes amid reports Qatar is paying England fans to “spy” on their friends and be positive about the country during this month’s World Cup, in return for free flights and tickets.
The group of Three Lions supporters have reportedly been handed instructions to sing certain songs when required and report any critical social media posts.
All 40 will receive free flights and accommodation in the desert country, £60 a day in spending money loaded onto a Visa card, and complimentary tickets to World Cup matches.
Qatar made the supporters sign a “code of conduct” in order to become spies, The Times reported.
The group of fans is understood to include four members of the England band, including leader John Hemmingham.
All are booked onto flights leaving for the Qatari capital Doha on November 17.
Another 40 supporters from Wales have also signed up to the so-called “Fan Leader Programme”, along with groups from the 30 other competing countries.
But supporters’ groups have branded the move a “sinister, distasteful” marketing exercise that looks to whitewash the tiny kingdom’s appalling human rights record.
Everyone who has signed up for the scheme in Qatar is guaranteed a ticket to the opening ceremony but must stay in the country for at least two weeks.