Scorpions Release Statement Regarding Drummer James Kottak’s Arrest

German rock veterans Scorpions have released a statement regarding the reports that their American drummer, James Kottak, will spend a month in a Dubai, United Arab Emirates jail after he was convicted on last week of insulting Islam.

“Dear fans, when James Kottak arrived in Dubai on April 3th, he ran into problems at immigrations and got busted. Whatever happened is totally out of our control and we don’t know any details about it at this point. For the concerts in Germany, Johan Franzon, a Swedish drummer, will take James’ seat. Please understand, we keep you posted.”

According to The National, the 51-year-old Kottak had reportedly consumed five glasses of wine on an April 3 flight from Moscow to Dubai while travelling to Bahrain on a Gulf Air flight to perform two days later at the country’s Formula One grand prix. After taking a wrong turn and entering the transit hall, Kottak “started swearing and talking about ‘non-educated Muslims’ before he flashed his middle finger at passengers,” according to witnesses. Police said he also lowered his trousers and showed people his behind.

An officer said he heard Kottak saying “what is this disgusting smell” before the drummer insulted Islam. “I didn’t see anything else but I heard him,” the officer said. “I then informed my supervisor, who came and took the defendant away.”

A 27-year-old client service employee at the airport added: “When he [Kottak] saw the Pakistani and Afghani passengers, he covered his nose and said that there was no way he will travel with them.” He added that the drummer then started swearing repeatedly at the arrivals area of Terminal 2. “He wasn’t talking to a person specifically but was talking in general,” the client service employee said. “He was very nervous at the time and talking loudly.”

A 25-year-old Jordanian passenger services agent said Kottak came over to her and “was shouting ‘non-educated Muslims’ then he went to the office of the head and flashed his middle finger at the passengers.”

Kottak denied that he insulted Islam, telling prosecutors: “I don’t remember saying these words and I did not flash my middle finger.” He also denied taking down his trousers, saying: “This is not true — I just lifted my shirt up to show the tattoo on my back” as a “spontaneous act.” “There is no way that I would say such a phrase about Muslims, whether I was drunk or not,” he said.

“I confess to drinking alcohol but I refuse the other two charges, I did not do them,” he added.

In addition to spending one month in jail, Kottak — who has been in custody since April 3 — was fined 2,000 dirhams (approximately $545) for drinking alcohol without a license.

Kottak’s time spent in detention will be deducted from his sentence.