Scottish Tourist Faces 3 Years in Prison for Touching Man's Hip in UAE

© Sputnik / Anna ChernovaDubai
Dubai - Sputnik International
Subscribe
The 27-year-old Janie Harron is being accused of public indecency and has been forced to stay in Dubai for three months, with his passport confiscated.

A Scottish man, who can be sentenced to a three-year prison term in the UAE for putting his hand on a man's hip in a bar, has showed up in court.

The man views the situation as a "cultural misunderstanding," saying that the move came unwillingly as he tried to avoid spilling his drink in a crowded bar.

According to reports, the police suddenly turned up and apprehended the young man who had no idea of what he was guilty of.

"I am really stunned that it has gone that far," Harron was quoted by the Sun as saying.

A man uses his mobile phone to connect to internet via wi-fi - Sputnik International
Steal My Wi-Fi, Go To Prison? Dubai Issues Fatwa For Stealing Wi-Fi Signals
The incident took place in the Rock Bottom Bar in Dubai, a popular place among tourists and locals.

Apart from accusations of indecent behavior, Harron might also be punished for drinking alcohol.

Although alcoholic beverages are available in many bars and hotels in Dubai, which have a special license, tourists who drink alcohol can still be arrested, as alcohol consumption in public is considered illegal.

Harron was supposed to attend court on Sunday, but said the hearing took place in private and his lawyers hadn't been informed.

"Now it is possible that I will be arrested on Sunday for failing to appear at a court hearing that neither I, nor my lawyer, were advised of," the young man said, cited by the newspaper.

Human rights organizations fear that Harron might become subjected to abuse and even torture if arrested. Earlier, the man revealed that while he was held in Al Barsha prison with eight other detainees, he was not allowed to have a shower or brush his teeth and was forced to sleep on the floor.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала