Manuel, who is infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, also received support from a UK HIV charity after claims were made that he was not regularly provided with the medication used to control the virus.
He said: “I had to beg the prison officials every day for medicine.
“I had a really hard time because I couldn’t get my medication. I was worried about the impact it was having on my health, and it was affecting my mental health as well.”
Now back in the UK, Manuel says he is receiving medical support and is slowly becoming more like himself.
“It's not a problem to see symbols like rainbows and flags everywhere,” he said.
“It's amazing how you can get back the little things you didn't realize you had lost until you got them back.
“Seeing people holding hands on the street, being able to show affection to friends without thinking about how we interact, and being able to do it without having to do it in secret.”
