Despair of Dubai Scot as police refuse to drop bar row case
A SCOT facing a three-year jail sentence in Dubai for touching a man’s hip in a bar has spoken of his ‘unbearable’ ordeal after being told the case against him will continue.
Jamie Harron was arrested for public indecency after putting a hand on the man to avoid spilling a drink as he moved through a crowded bar, campaign group Detained in Dubai (DiD) said.
The 27-year-old now faces up to three years in jail and has lost his job following the incident in July.
His accuser, German businessman Emad Tabaza, called police and claimed Mr Harron, from Stirling, had been ‘very drunk’ and ‘repeatedly’ touched him.
Last week the engineering firm for which Mr Tabaza works, Neuman & Esser, said he had dropped his complaint after realising the punishment Mr Harron is facing.
On learning this Mr Harron had hoped to be back home soon, but his ordeal continued when local prosecution services indicated they were still proceeding with the case.
In a voicemail to DiD chief executive Radha Stirling, Mr Harron, an electrician, said: ‘I heard a rumour that the accuser dropped the case against me and thought I would be freed.
‘Now I am being told the prosecutors are not dropping the case, even though the accuser withdrew the complaint. It looks like this is going to continue.’
Mr Harron had taken a job in Afghanistan and was on a twoday stopover in the United Arab Emirates when the incident took place. He said: ‘I have been here for five months now. I thought it was going to be a brief stop in Dubai, before starting my job.
‘I took this job in Afghanistan in a risky situation because I wanted to give myself a good start in life. I wanted everything right and organised for the future. It’s all backfired now. Because of all this mess over a two-day stopover, I am in debt and stand to lose my house, everything I’ve worked for, and my freedom. ‘All of the support from everyone back home has made me feel so homesick. I miss my family so much.
‘The whole situation is unbearable. I feel shattered, but I want to send my appreciation to everyone who is trying to help me and I really hope to see you all soon.’
His father Graham said: ‘Our son is still being prosecuted and still faces jail time. People need to understand it is not a joke to make complaints to the police, especially in that country. The consequences are very serious and can ruin people’s lives as they have Jamie’s.’
Mr Harron has already been sentenced in absentia to 30 days in prison for making a rude gesture and drinking alcohol.
According to DiD, he admitted drinking alcohol at the Rock Bottom Bar party spot after being arrested but denied making a rude gesture. His lawyers have submitted an appeal.
In relation to the alleged public indecency charge, Mr Harron is said to have been holding a drink, moving through a crowded bar, and held a hand in front of him to avoid spilling it on himself or others. He then ‘touched a man on his hip to avoid impact’.
This led to him being charged with public indecency, locked up for five days in Al Barsha
‘Unbearable ordeal’
‘I miss my family so much’
prison, then released on bail with his passport confiscated.
Last night Mr Harron sent a video message to family and friends saying: ‘A heartfelt thank you to all the people around the world who have supported me in this awful time for me and my family.
‘All I want is to be back in Scotland with my friends and family, sleeping safe in my own bed.’
A Neuman & Esser spokesman declined to comment, saying it was a matter between authorities in UAE and Mr Harron.
The next court hearing is set for October 22.