Scorpions drummer James Kottak imprisoned in Dubai for offensive behaviour after insulting Islam and exposing himself
Kottak is jailed for offensive behaviour
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Your support makes all the difference.Scorpions drummer James Kottak has been sentenced to a month in prison for offensive behaviour.
The musician was convicted of insulting Islam, swearing and being under the influence of alcohol. The incident took place at Dubai airport on April 3 when the German rock band were travelling to Bahrain for a gig.
American national Kottak was arrested after a disturbance in the transit hall. A court heard that he started swearing, flashed his middle finger then began talking about “non-educated Muslims”.
Police reported that he also exposed his behind and asked passengers to touch it. Kottak denies that this happened, maintaining that that he lifted up his shirt to reveal his tattoo - a “spontaneous act”, as he describes.
He pleaded not guilty to insulting Islam, with his lawyer claiming that witnesses must have misunderstood.
However, the 51-year-old admitted to drinking without a license. He was sentenced to one month in jail in Dubai for offensive behaviour, as well as a Dh2,000 (£320) fine.
“I don’t remember saying these words and I did not flash my middle finger,” Kottak said to the prosecutors.
“There is no way that I would say such a phrase about Muslims, whether I was drunk or not,” he told police. “I confess to drinking alcohol, but I refuse the other two charges, I did not do them.”
He is expected to be released and deported within the next few days, the BBC reports.
Scorpions are best-known for their power ballads, namely 1990 hit single Wind of Change. They have released 20 albums since their inception in 1965.
However Kottak only joined the band in 1996. A representative for Scorpions is yet to respond to The Independent's request for comment.
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