Qatar Airways fired flight attendant after police called him 'sex worker' for wearing high-end clothing, makeup

Gilbert Ignatius, a 32-year-old Indonesian flight attendant, claims he was wrongfully detained and physically assaulted by a Qatar police officer who accused him of being a sex worker solely based on his high-end clothing. Ignatius, who had served Qatar Airways for six years, recounted the incident at a Doha restaurant where an officer from the Criminal Investigation Department allegedly slapped him for wearing Hermès items during his birthday celebration in May. According to Ignatius, he and a colleague were taken to the police station after an officer wiped tinted moisturizer off their faces without consent. Despite explaining his occupation and affluent background, Ignatius faced persistent accusations and was slapped when he mentioned purchasing the luxury items before joining the airline. Ignatius claimed the officer denied his request to contact the Indonesian embassy, insisting he wait in jail. Although eventually released, Qatar Airways confiscated his passport the next day, leading to his termination on June 4, as stated in a letter viewed by Business Insider. Despite Qatar Airways’ silence on the matter, Ignatius revealed he has resumed his career as a flight attendant with Jetstar in Australia. The emotional toll of the incident has required counseling for Ignatius, who expressed shock and trauma. This incident adds to Qatar’s recent controversies, including the deportation of three men for wearing makeup and a soccer World Cup ambassador making homophobic remarks. Ignatius’s case raises concerns about discriminatory practices and mistreatment, shedding light on the broader challenges faced by individuals in Qatar amid controversies related to LGBTQ issues.