Grooverider pardoned for Ramadan

DJ FREED: UK DJ Raymond Bingham has been released from his Dubai prison.

UK DJ Raymond Bingham, popularly known as ‘Grooverider’ has been released from his Dubai prison cell after being pardoned to mark the holy month of Ramadan, British media have reported.

Bingham, who was sentenced to four years jail in February for possessing cannabis, has flown back to Britain, UK daily The Guardian reported on Saturday.

A spokeswoman for the UK Foreign Office told the newspaper: "We understand he's one of a number of Brits who are due to be released under an amnesty. This does not mean a quashed conviction. We believe there are around 11 or 12 who will be released imminently and who will then be deported."

Bingham was jailed after being arrested at Dubai airport in November for possessing of 2.16g of cannabis.

The BBC told the Guardian said it was too soon to say if Bingham would return to his Radio 1 show.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE, granted 777 Dubai inmates their freedom on September 30.

Sheikh Mohammed, also ruler of Dubai, pardoned the prisoners to mark the advent of the holy month of Ramadan.

UAE drug arrests surge in 2007
British Embassy urges its tourists to be aware of strict, zero-tolerance drug laws when traveling to the UAE.

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Re: Goroverider's Release
Posted by Matt, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Sunday 14 September 2008 at 11:00 UAE time


With 777 people released I would be inclined to suspect that the guy with the very small amount of hasish on his sole was released aswell.
I also think this is a very good move by the UAE to show that they are willing to show some common sense in the light of the zero tolerance rule. With these cases of extremely small quantities of drugs involved, the carrier is obviously not going to use them for dealing.

Ramadan Mercy
Posted by Graham Plater, Munich, Germany on Monday 8 September 2008 at 16:16 UAE time

So "Grooverider" can go home after being punished for willingly possessing drugs. And what about those doing time for drugs they DIDN'T willingly possess - like the guy with 0.0003g of hashish on the sole of his shoe? Don't they deserve to go home having learned their "lesson"?

Grooveriders release
Posted by pete, uk on Monday 8 September 2008 at 13:30 UAE time


He should have been jailed for the full 4 years.It gives out a really bad signal to the UK and the rest of the world that he only served 10 months and then pardoned for drugs

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