The drummer for German rock band Scorpions has been in jail for almost a month after being arrested for “insulting” Islam and offensive behaviour at Dubai’s international airport, media reported Wednesday.
James Kottak, a United States citizen, was detained on April 3 while in transit to Bahrain, where he was to perform at the Formula One Grand Prix race, according to the reports.
Kottak was on Tuesday sentenced to one month in jail by an Emirati court and based on time served would soon be released.
According to Gulf News daily, ground staff at the airport testified that Kottak, who was drunk at the time, refused to travel with a group of Pakistani and Afghani passengers.
He “started swearing”, criticising “non-educated Muslims”, and flashed his middle finger at Pakistani passengers, The National newspaper reported.
The dailies said that Kottak admitted he had been drinking alcohol but denied other charges.