The story: Prominent LGBTQ activist Peter Tatchell has claimed that he was “arrested and detained” by Qatari police for holding a protest in Doha. However, local authorities have denied Tatchell’s assertion, saying no detention took place. This follows Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s insistence that his country has contended with a concerted defamation campaign since being chosen to host this year’s FIFA World Cup. 

The coverage: Tatchell tweeted a video on Oct. 25 in which he stated that he had “been released and will be heading to the airport soon” after being “arrested and detained for 49 minutes and subjected to interrogation” for holding an LGBTQ demonstration in Doha. 

• London-based Al-Araby Al-Jadeed published a statement from Qatar’s Government Communications Office which asserted that “the rumors on social media that a representative from the Peter Tatchell Foundation has been arrested are completely false and without merit. An individual standing in a traffic circle was cordially and professionally asked to move to the sidewalk, and no arrests were made.”
  
  
• Tatchell reiterated his claim the following day to his supporters, saying, “Thanks for all of your support following our protest and arrest in Qatar. It was the first ever LGBT+ demonstration...