In Dubai, a Scot was sentenced to 3 months in prison for accidentally touching a man

27-year-old Scotsman Jamie Harron, who works as an electrician in Afghanistan, was sentenced to three months in prison for touching the thigh of businessman Emad Tabaza. In July 2017, Harron, who came to the UAE for a couple of days to relax, went to the local Rock Bottom bar. The place was crowded, and Harron walked with a drink, holding out his hand so as not to spill it on other visitors. So he accidentally touched another man's leg.

Emad Tabaza called the police, and the Scot was detained. On Sunday, October 22, Jamie Harron was sentenced to prison, according to a report by the Detained in Dubai (DiD) legal group. Moreover, earlier the prosecutor withdrew the claim, but the local prosecutor's office decided to continue working on the case.

According to Emad Tabaza (pictured), the Scot was drunk and touched him several times.

The UAE has strict laws regarding drinking alcohol and indecent behavior in a public place. Touching a man or woman in a public place can result in up to 15 years in prison.

After his arrest, Jamie Harron lost his job in Afghanistan. The lawyers said he was "angry, depressed and afraid of what might happen next."

In addition to the charges regarding touching a man, Harron was sentenced to one month in prison for drinking alcohol in a public place and making a rude gesture. Initially, the Scot was imprisoned for five days, but released on bail. However, the passport was confiscated.

Representatives of the prosecutor Emad Tabaza said that the businessman withdrew the claim, despite the fact that the harassment was confirmed by several witnesses. But, according to the laws of the country, the withdrawal of the claim does not necessarily mean the termination of the case, as, for example, in the UK or Germany.

From the beginning of the trial, parents were not allowed to the defendant, as they themselves could go to prison for criticizing the UAE government in social networks. At the moment, Jamie Harron is going to serve his time and return home to file a civil lawsuit, because, in his opinion, there is no justice in the UAE. "He feels deceived by the judicial system, as the prosecutor's office did not investigate the statements of key witnesses and made him believe that the charges would be dropped."