Scorpions drummer jailed for insulting Islam in Dubai

Rocker James Kottak has been jailed in Dubai for insulting Islam.

According to The National newspaper, the Scorpions drummer will spend a month behind bars in the United Arab Emirates after he was convicted on Tuesday morning.

Kottak was arrested after reportedly raising his middle finger, flashing his backside at passengers and being under the influence of alcohol while in transit at Dubai airport on April 3.

He was en route from Russia to Bahrain for a Scorpions gig. He failed to make it to the 5 April concert.

According to The Gulf News, Kottak admitted to drinking but denied the other charges.

Police reports suggest the drummer verbally attacked passengers, calling them "non-educated Muslims", before dropping his trousers and flashing his middle finger at them.

In court, the rocker told prosecutors, "I don't remember saying these words and I did not flash my middle finger... There is no way that I would say such a phrase about Muslims, whether I was drunk or not... I confess to drinking alcohol but I refuse the other two charges, I did not do them."

He also denied taking down his trousers, adding, "This is not true. I just lifted my shirt up to show the tattoo on my back."

In addition to his jail sentence, Kottak was fined 2,000 dirhams for drinking alcohol without a licence.

He has been in custody since his arrest and this time will be deducted from his sentence.

Kottak has been a member of the Scorpions since 1996.

                                

The Scorpions' manager didn't respond to requests for comment. Kottak's local lawyer couldn't immediately be reached.

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