Jamie Harron
"I was facing some serious charges there that don't make any sense to Westerners at all. I would just really like to thank Radha Stirling and Detained in Dubai. I just can't thank them enough. Thank you very much, most appreciated."
In July 2017, Scottish electrician Jamie Harron was arrested in Dubai after inadvertently touching a man's hip in a crowded bar, an act he described as trying to avoid spilling his drink. This incident led to charges of public indecency, resulting in a three-month prison sentence. Harron spent several months in Dubai, unable to leave due to the legal proceedings, which caused significant personal and financial strain.
Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, took up Harron's case, bringing international attention to the situation. She criticized the legal process, stating, "A fully functional legal system would not require outside intervention, and a case like Jamie’s would never proceed in the first place." Stirling's advocacy highlighted concerns about the UAE's legal system and its treatment of foreign nationals.
Following widespread media coverage and diplomatic discussions, Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, intervened, ordering Harron's release and the dismissal of all charges. Upon his return to Scotland, Harron expressed his gratitude, stating, "I would just really like to thank Radha Stirling and Detained in Dubai for taking my story to the media... I just can't thank them enough."
Stirling commented on his release:
“When Jamie was called this morning by the police he was told that the case had been dismissed, and that he should come in to collect his passport”, Stirling explained. “He was understandably nervous; as similar calls from the police in other cases were merely tactics to lure individuals into police custody. But when Jamie arrived at the police station, his passport was returned, and he was told that he was free to go. The charges were dropped, the sentence annulled, and he faces no order for deportation. This came by direct order from Sheikh Mohammed.”
Stirling noted that ideally such intervention would not be necessary, but was grateful that the Dubai Ruler took the initiative. “Of course, a fully functional legal system would not require outside intervention, and a case like Jamie’s would never proceed in the first place. But we are enormously grateful to Sheikh Mohammed for stepping in and vindicating Jamie after months of hardship."
See Jamie arrive home:
See Jamie on This Morning:
This is a compilation of all official Press Releases made by Detained in Dubai since October 8th 2017, concerning the Jamie Harron case. Below those are press articles and other media featuring Jamie Harron.
Ruler of Dubai exonerates Jamie Harron. 23rd Oct 2017.
Jamie Harron has no court date for rude gesture charge. Parents to visit Jamie in Dubai but risk criminal charges under UAE cybercrime laws.17th Oct 2017.
"They have ruined our son's life" - Jamie Harron parents furious over Neuman & Esser's stance as Scotsman faces prison over public indecency charges in Dubai. 16th Oct 2017.
German company Neuman & Esser suffering international backlash over Managing Director Emad Tabaza's involvement in Dubai public indecency case. Jamie Harron still facing jail in Dubai. 14th Oct 2017.
Dubai "public indecency" detention updates. German company missteps in defence of complainant in Jamie Harron case. 12th October 2017.
Statement from Radha Stirling 17:00, 11 October 2017 re Jamie Harron. (Facebook copy of press release) 11th October 2017.
Top UAE lawyer calls for legal reforms after recent terrifying arrests of Brits Jamie Harron, Jamil Mukadam and Billy Barclay. 9th October 2017.
Brit facing 3 years jail in Dubai for "public indecency" after putting his hand on man in a bar so as not to bump and spill drinks. 6th October 2017.
Parents of Scot held in Dubai for brushing past man in bar speak out. 8th October 2017.
Further Press articles:
BANGED UP ABROAD Jamie Harron, the Brit jailed in Dubai for touching man’s hip, claims accuser may have been JEALOUS over female waitress. 31st Oct. The Sun
DUBAI DEBACLE Who is Jamie Harron, why was he accused of sexual assault in Dubai and why were the charges dropped? 31st Oct. The Sun.
'I'm an electrician not a magician' Scot jailed in Dubai for touching man's hip responds to bizarre accusation he put hand down businessman's shorts.31st Oct. The Daily Record.
'MONTHS OF HELL' Jamie Harron, Brit jailed in Dubai hell prison for ‘touching man’s hip’ reveals ordeal on This Morning. 31st Oct. The Sun.
British Electrician Jamie Harron Has Been Sentenced To Three Months In Dubai Prison. 31st Oct. The Lad Bible.
Does the arrest of Jamie Harron show a darker side to Dubai? 31st Oct. Gair Rhydd.
British man jailed in Dubai for 'touching man's hip' claims accuser was jealous after waitress chatted with him. 30th Oct. The Mirror.
Dubai nightmare cost me my job and reputation, says Jamie Harron, who faced jail. 30th Oct. The Times.
'If it could happen to me, it could happen to you': Briton jailed with murderers 'for just brushing past some bloke in a busy Dubai bar' speaks out over his ordeal 28th Oct. The Daily Mail.
Jamie Harron: Man jailed in Dubai for touching man's hip says 'I would go back'. 25th Oct. The Independent.
Dubai indecency accused Jamie Harron back in Scotland. 25th Oct. The BBC.
Jamie Harron Returns Home To Scotland From Dubai After Charges Dropped. 25th Oct. HuffPost.
Jamie Harron home after being detained in Dubai for touching man's hip. 25th Oct. Sky News.
Briton jailed in Dubai for touching man's hip says it 'feels very good' to be home as he is reunited with family. 25th Oct. the Telegraph.
Freed Scot Jamie Harron hits out at Dubai justice system after touching down in Glasgow. 25th Oct. Dunfermline Press.
Brit Jamie Harron who was sentenced to prison for 'touching man's hip' in Dubai arrives back in UK. 25th Oct. ITV News.
Scot Jamie Harron who was jailed in Dubai for hip touch flies home. 24th Oct. The Herald.
Brit jailed for touching man’s hip in Dubai FINALLY returns back to UK. 25th Oct. Daily Star.
British man Jamie Harron sentenced to jail for touching man's hip in Dubai arrives back in UK. 24th October. The independent.
Jamie Harron arrives back home after being detained in Dubai over hip touch. 24th Oct. The Metro.
Jamie Harron ended up in a Dubai prison for a pat on the bum. 24th Oct. Executive Style.
Brit sentenced for touching man's hip in Dubai has charges dropped. 24th Oct. RT.
'It's been a complete shambles': Brit Jamie Harron held in Dubai for touching a man's hip finally lands safely in UK after being freed. 24th Oct. The Evening Standard.
Electrician jailed for touching man's hip in Dubai freed. 23rd Oct. STV News.
Charges Dropped Against Jamie Harron Who Was Sentenced For Touching A Man’s Hip In Dubai. 23rd Oct. HuffPost.
Dubai bar row Scot Jamie Harron freed from jail after Arab sheikh steps in. 23rd Oct. The Daily Record.
Indecency charges against Briton Jamie Harron dropped after intervention by the prime minister and ruler of Dubai. 23rd Oct. Euronews.
Jamie Harron: Hip-touch Scot will appeal against three-month jail sentence in Dubai. 23rd Oct. Barrhead News.
Brit tourist Jamie Harron gets 3-month jail term for accidentally touching man's hip at Dubai bar. 23rd Oct. International Business Times.
Jamie Harron Sentenced To Three Months In Dubai Prison For Touching Man's Hip.23rd Oct. HuffPost.
Public indecency case against Briton dropped by Dubai government.23rd Oct. The Guardian
Claims Dubai locals get Brits jailed for "sport" as Scot Jamie Harron goes on trial. 22nd Oct. The Sunday Herald.
Parents of Jamie Harron Could Face Jail in Dubai. 19th Oct. icfuae.org.
Parents face jail for visiting Scot charged in Dubai. 18th Oct. The Scotsman.
Complaint against Brit facing Dubai jail over touching man's hip DROPPED. 13th Oct. Birmingham Mail.
Briton JAILED in Dubai for drinking alcohol & faces 3 more years for touching man’s hip. 11th Oct. Express.
British man Jamie Harron jailed for one month after drinking alcohol in Dubai. 11th Oct. MSN.
Jamie Harron and other bizarre arrests in the United Arab Emirates. 9th Oct. Talk Radio.
This 27-year-old is facing 3 years in a Dubai prison after touching a man in a bar to avoid spilling his drink. 7th Oct. Business Insider.
This Man Got Arrested in Dubai for Touching Another Man in a Crowded Bar. 7th Oct. Hornet.
Briton Jamie Harron faces jail for touching man in Dubai bar. 7th Oct. GorgeousFM.
Pink News archive of Jamie Harron articles. From 8th Oct.
Jamie Harron Archives. From 6th Oct. Evening Express.
The New Arab Archive.
International Press:
British man Jamie Harron sentenced to jail for touching man's hip in Dubai arrives back in UK. 24th Oct. CET US News.
Dubai frees Scottish man sentenced for touching another man in a bar. 24th Oct. Stuff.
He patted a man’s butt in Dubai and faced months in prison – until a royal pardon freed him. 24th Oct. Denver Press.
Scottish tourist jailed for three months for touching man’s hip in Dubai bar has been freed. 23rd Oct. News Corp Australia Network.
Dubai Jails, Then Frees, Scottish Tourist Over Touching Man In A Bar. 23rd Oct. npr.org.
Scottish tourist jailed for drunkenly touching man in Dubai bar. 22nd Oct. The National.
Dubai frees British man sentenced for touching another man at a bar. 23rd Oct. abc news.
Photo of British man Jamie Harron who was detained in Dubai. 23rd Oct. abc news.
Jamie Harron detained in Dubai over indecent behaviour. The Telegraph. Australia.
British tourist in Dubai faces 3 years in jail for 'touching a German man's hip'. 9th Oct. Step Feed.
Turist fast i Dubai efter påstått tafs på bar. 8th Oct. Hallands nyheter.
Briton faces jail for touching another man in Dubai bar. 8th Oct. Zee News.
Video:
British man jailed in Dubai for 'touching man's hip' opens up about ordeal after 'three-and-a-half months of hell'. 31st Oct. The Mirror.
Exclusive: The Brit jailed for touching a man's hip in Dubai. 1st Oct. ITV.com.
Jamie Harron arrives back in Scotland after release from Dubai. 25th Oct. SWNS TV