Activist Peter Tatchell arrested in Qatar for protesting against anti-gay regime just weeks before World Cup
PETER Tatchell was arrested in Qatar while staging a one-man protest against Qatar’s treatment of gay people.
The activist was pictured holding a placard supporting Qatari LGBT+ people, just 26 days before the start of the football World Cup.
The current whereabouts of Mr Tatchell are unknown.
Speaking from Qatar shortly before his protest, he said: “There can be no normal sporting relations with an abnormal regime like Qatar.
“It is a homophobic, sexist and racist dictatorship.
“Qatar cannot be allowed to sportswash its reputation. It is using the World Cup to enhance its international image.
“I did this protest to shine a light on Qatar’s human rights abuses against LGBT+ people, women, migrant workers and liberal Qataris. I am supporting their brave battle against tyranny.”
It comes after World Cup chiefs have given assurances that gay fans will not be persecuted when they visit the country in November.
A Uefa working party, including FA chief executive Mark Bullingham, travelled to Doha for a third scoping visit.