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A Scot is facing three years in jail in Dubai after claiming he touched a man's hip while trying to avoid spilling his drink in a crowded bar.
The "cultural misunderstanding" has left Jamie Harron, of Stirling, stuck in the emirate for three months facing jail, jobless and in huge amounts of debt.
Mr Harron, 27, has spent more than £32,000 in expenses and legal fees trying to resolve the matter while he was also been stripped of his documents.
The electrician was in Dubai on a two-day stopover while flying back to work in Afghanistan.
He has been held in the United Arab Emirates since July 15 on two charges of drinking alcohol and public indecency. His passport was seized when he was released on bail.
Mr Harron had a drink with friends at the Rock Bottom Bar in Dubai, a popular venue in Tecom.
He and his friend had bought their first drink in the crowded bar when he says he placed his hand on the hip of man to ensure they did not bump and spill their drinks.
Police turned up and arrested Mr Harron, who claims he was jailed not knowing the charge.
He said a prosecutor later told him he had been charged with drinking alcohol and "public indecency".
Jamie denies the latter charge, claiming his only intention was to avoid spilling a drink.
Tourists who consume alcohol (legally) at licensed venues in Dubai can still be arrested for having alcohol in their system.
Most visitors are not aware of this and a number of British nationals have been caught out by the contradictory application of the law.
Since the initial arrest, Mr Harron has been sacked from his job in Afghanistan and is now relying on charity from friends for accommodation.
He was due to attend court on Sunday but said the meeting was held in private without his lawyers being informed.
He said: "I am really stunned that it has gone that far. I have witnesses who are willing to present themselves in court, even the bouncer at the bar.
"I cannot believe I am facing these allegations when I followed the laws in their entirety.
"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."
After being arrested, Mr Harron was held in Al Barsha prison, where he claims he was not allowed to wash himself or brush his teeth.
He said he was left in a "foul smelling" cell with another eight nationalities sleeping on the floor with "one revolting mattress between them all".
Mr Harron was bailed but claims his passport was confiscated so that he could not leave the country.
He claims he missed the "secret hearing" because he did not know anything about it.
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Lots may be wrong with the UK but the UAE is a joke when it comes to justice.
The "cultural misunderstanding" has left Jamie Harron, of Stirling, stuck in the emirate for three months facing jail, jobless and in huge amounts of debt.
Mr Harron, 27, has spent more than £32,000 in expenses and legal fees trying to resolve the matter while he was also been stripped of his documents.
The electrician was in Dubai on a two-day stopover while flying back to work in Afghanistan.
He has been held in the United Arab Emirates since July 15 on two charges of drinking alcohol and public indecency. His passport was seized when he was released on bail.
Mr Harron had a drink with friends at the Rock Bottom Bar in Dubai, a popular venue in Tecom.
He and his friend had bought their first drink in the crowded bar when he says he placed his hand on the hip of man to ensure they did not bump and spill their drinks.
Police turned up and arrested Mr Harron, who claims he was jailed not knowing the charge.
He said a prosecutor later told him he had been charged with drinking alcohol and "public indecency".
Jamie denies the latter charge, claiming his only intention was to avoid spilling a drink.
Tourists who consume alcohol (legally) at licensed venues in Dubai can still be arrested for having alcohol in their system.
Most visitors are not aware of this and a number of British nationals have been caught out by the contradictory application of the law.
Since the initial arrest, Mr Harron has been sacked from his job in Afghanistan and is now relying on charity from friends for accommodation.
He was due to attend court on Sunday but said the meeting was held in private without his lawyers being informed.
He said: "I am really stunned that it has gone that far. I have witnesses who are willing to present themselves in court, even the bouncer at the bar.
"I cannot believe I am facing these allegations when I followed the laws in their entirety.
"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."
After being arrested, Mr Harron was held in Al Barsha prison, where he claims he was not allowed to wash himself or brush his teeth.
He said he was left in a "foul smelling" cell with another eight nationalities sleeping on the floor with "one revolting mattress between them all".
Mr Harron was bailed but claims his passport was confiscated so that he could not leave the country.
He claims he missed the "secret hearing" because he did not know anything about it.
——————————
Lots may be wrong with the UK but the UAE is a joke when it comes to justice.