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Briton Jamie Harron faces jail for touching man in Dubai bar

Audioboxer

Member
A British man is facing three years in jail in Dubai after touching another man in a bar.

Jamie Harron's legal team claim he briefly made contact with the man to avoid spilling a drink on him.

The incident led to him being arrested for public indecency.

The 27-year-old electrician, from Stirling, has been stuck in the UAE since July after his passport was confiscated by authorities.

He was initially locked up in Al Barsha prison for five days before being released on bail.

Since then he has reportedly been forced to spend more than £30,000 in expenses and legal fees.

More @ http://news.sky.com/story/briton-jamie-harron-faces-jail-for-touching-man-in-dubai-bar-11070454

Seen this on the UK news.
 

Nikodemos

Member
I still can't understand why people go to places with such idiotic laws.

I'd rather go to Belarus before going to Dubai, Abu Dhabi or such.
 

Xando

Member
Anyone have faith in the British government to get this guy out of an utterly shit situation?
Chief Diplomat Boris is on it!
giphy.gif
 
Boris Johnson is on the case!

...oh shit Boris Johnson is on the case.

More seriously, just touching someone else, even accidentally, counts for public indecency?
 

Audioboxer

Member
Boris Johnson is on the case!

...oh shit Boris Johnson is on the case.

More seriously, just touching someone else, even accidentally, counts for public indecency?

As well as public indecency, Mr Harron is also facing a second charge relating to the drinking of alcohol.

He was arrested while spending an evening at the Rock Bottom Bar.

Drinking alcohol... in a bar, as well.
 

Arcia

Banned
Boris Johnson is on the case!

...oh shit Boris Johnson is on the case.

More seriously, just touching someone else, even accidentally, counts for public indecency?

The article says he accidently touched another man’s hip. I’m guessing this guy was insecure, got angry, and called the cops. People act stupid and macho in bars so it wouldn’t surprise me, but it sucks a stupid fight over bumping into someone happened in a place with such ridiculous laws.
 
Drinking alcohol... in a bar, as well.

That's extra baffling. If the place is serving alcohol, it should be legal, shouldn't it? Otherwise either the whole joint is in violation of the law, or it's legal to sell alcohol but not to drink it.

Edit: Ah, looked it up. Turns out you need a license to drink
 

Audioboxer

Member
Did he touch his penis or something?

He is said to have held a hand in front of himself to prevent his drink spilling on anyone as he walked through the busy bar.

In the process he "touched a man on his hip to avoid impact", before moving on and sitting down at a table with a friend.

Imagine being arrested for that.

It's pretty appalling the UK hasn't got him out in 3 months.
 

fortunato

Banned
I still can't understand why people go to places with such idiotic laws.

I'd rather go to Belarus before going to Dubai, Abu Dhabi or such.

Two reasons, mainly: ignorance (they don't know these things happen); and they are happily willing to trade off money for personal freedom.
 
I dont think many of you have any basic understanding of the UAE.

No, probably i'll never understand this ridiculous as shit laws based on toxic masculinity. If you think accidentally touching someone is a matter of crime then what can i say to you. And that's the tip of the iceberg.
 

xxracerxx

Don't worry, I'll vouch for them.
I use the light touch on the shoulder to get by people all the time, I couldn't imagine possible jail time over something so slight.
 
Sigh -- this is upsetting on so many levels, but you HAVE to know not to expect foreign nations, particularly those in the middle east, to be as tolerant as western cultures when it comes to LGBT freedom.
 

HardRojo

Member
What the flying fuck!? Maybe by the year 3000 these ass backwards countries will finally start using a bit of common sense.
 

Menchi

Member
He's obviously trying to Gay up Dubai. Get him on the Gallows, stop the disgusting spread of gayness /s

Honestly, how is this in any way, shape or form, defensible. I can't believe people deal with these monsters. I know why, oil, but it just beggars belief that we haven't progressed past this yet as a world. Ughhhh, hate people for who they love, what their skin colour is, what their gender is.... ARGHHHH WHY!
 
People gotta learn they can't go everywhere just cause they think it's "exotic" or whatever. Especially countries w/ a chip on their shoulder that likes to parade a westerner around to show the masses how they don't take shit from them.

Why risk it?
 

The Llama

Member
I'm a straight male (caucasian, though I don't think it matters in this context) and I have no interest in ever visiting the Middle East due to stuff like this. Just crazy.
 
Sigh -- this is upsetting on so many levels, but you HAVE to know not to expect foreign nations, particularly those in the middle east, to be as tolerant as western cultures when it comes to LGBT freedom.

The fuck is this shit? I've put my hands on another man to stop him walking into me when I was holding a drink. I'm straight... but I assume that doesn't matter. Was probably trying to cop a feel right?
 
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