Scorpions drummer James Kottack (pictured above, far right) has been jailed in the United Arab Emirates after being convicted for alleged misconduct at the Dubai airport.
The National reports Kottack will spend a month in jail after he was convicted Tuesday of insulting Islam, flashing his middle finger at Muslim passengers at an airport and consuming alcohol.
Kottak reportedly confirmed that he drank five glasses of wine on a flight from Moscow to Dubai while making his way to Bahrain to perform at the country’s Formula One Grand Prix on April 5 when the incident happened on the evening of April 3.
The rocker was with a friend when he said he took a wrong turn and entered the transit hall. “We wanted to wait for the rest of our friends but, mistakenly, ended up at the transit hall,” Kottak told police. There he was arrested for being drunk and, after that, he was seen getting angry and swearing.
At the sight of Pakistani and Muslim passengers, witnesses said Kottak started swearing and talking about “non-educated Muslims” before he flashed his middle finger at passengers. Police said he also lowered his trousers and showed people his behind.
Kottack – who has been in police custody since April 3 – admitted to drinking alcohol but has refused the other two charges.
At Dubai Court of Misdemeanours on Tuesday, his lawyer said that his client was innocent and that the witnesses must be misunderstood. “Their testimonies are contradictory, your honour,” said Hamid Al Khazraji.
Kottack was sentenced to one month in jail and was fined 2,000 dirhams (approximately US $545) for drinking alcohol without a license.
Read a more detailed report of the alleged incident at The National here.
As a result of his detainment, Kottack missed The Scorpions’ April 5th performance at the Grand Prix event; the group brought in drummer Mark Cross (Tainted Nation, Firewind, Outloud, Helloween, Metallium) to fill in for the show.
Earlier this year, the band released “MTV Unplugged - Scorpions Live In Athens”, a package compiled from three concerts in Athens, Greece at the city’s Lycabettus Theatre last fall.
See also:
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Search The Scorpions at hennemusic
