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Discuss this article (18 Comments)Brit DJ Grooverider tells of Dubai prison ordeal
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Friday, 03 October 2008
British DJ Grooverider has spoken about his Dubai prison ordeal, describing the experience as “appalling”.
Grooverider, real name Raymond Bingham, was jailed in Dubai in February after being caught with 2.16 grams of marijuana at Dubai Airport in November.
He was pardoned at the end of August as part of a Ramadan amnesty, serving 10 months of a four-year sentence.
In his first interview since his release, Bingham told British broadcaster the BCC he wanted to move on and the ordeal was “water under the bridge” now.
He said he had been caught by a customs inspector at the airport, after arriving to play a gig in the emirate.
The inspector had initially told him he would only be deported after the small piece of marijuana was found in the pocket of his jeans.
However, Bingham was instead taken to Dubai’s deportation jail where inmates informed him that his crime would see him jailed for four years.
"When I heard four years, I kind of dropped a little bit, I nearly fell on the floor," Bingham told the BBC.
He spent four months in the detention centre in conditions he described as "appalling".
"They don't have toilets, they have holes in the ground. There's eight people to a cell and they do treat you all right don't get me wrong, but it's just horrible seeing so many people come in for nothing," he said.
Following his sentence of four years in jail, he was transferred to Dubai's main prison where he remained until he was told of his Ramadan pardon.
“…when it got announced there were people crying and rolling around on the floor. Everybody was excited to finally get out of there. I felt relief just knowing it was coming to an end."
The Radio 1 DJ told the BBC he was looking forward to getting back to work.
READERS' COMMENTS
Posted by Saeed Iqbal, Dubai, UAE on Monday 13 October 2008 at 09:53 UAE time
I support Charles comments 100%. Dubai and it's residents have double standards.
Posted by Charles on Monday 6 October 2008 at 09:42 UAE time
1. Grooverider is a legend in some circles. If he is invited to perform in Dubai, we should not expect him to change to a teetotal choirboy. He is a product of the postmodern world and club culture, created by popular demand by a generation in the developed world. If you don’t want his type in Dubai, don’t pay for him to come or invite him, or let him through the airport. You don’t invite a guest and then imprison him, not in my house anyway.
2. Dubai prisons and judiciary system are sub-standard, they lack due process and minimum standard of treatment. And yes, I can speak with authority on the subject. I will grant you that you can call them safe – one may end up in cells with rapist and murderers, but typically they do not seem violent once in a Dubai prison, but that is the only plus I will accept. They are appalling compared to other developed countries.
3. Dubai is indeed contradictive, double standards, hypocritical, etc. We are growing quickly but are still an emerging market, despite having Starbucks and a no-smoking law, we do still lack human rights, and do generally default to Sharia law on aspects of controversy. We are changing, but the growing pains are severe, and things take time.
4. I am ashamed to hear the comments here of some Dubai residents who clearly wish to stay in the dark ages. Have you no humanity, clemency, understanding? If the Ruler grants mercy to some person should we not celebrate this? I am only sorry more people did not gain pardons or assistance for their situation.
5. To Grooverider – apologies for your rough treatment in Dubai. I hope that you will forgive us, and see one day the greater picture of what we here are trying to achieve. Best of luck going forwards, and I hope you get past the sleepless nights and dark memories soon – for I am sure the experience of the last few months will haunt you for sometime to come. Sometimes we need criticism, a push, and guidance as to how to improve as we grow.
Posted by Semeen Ghazi, dubai, UAE on Sunday 5 October 2008 at 16:55 UAE time
Raymond should thank his stars on the genorosity of the UAE rulers... he had committed a crime and he was punished ... so whats the ho, ha about. Are people not charged in his country for committing a crime which is punishable by law. What does he expect a jail to be... a bed of flowers.. infact in the UAE jails, I have heard people are treated very humanely as compared to jails in other parts of the world.
Raymond should not have been allowed to go till he completed his 4 years to teach everyone a lesson
Posted by A Brit National, Dubai, U.A.E. on Sunday 5 October 2008 at 16:22 UAE time
Hey Mr.DJ, count your lucky stars that you were not caught in a western country and sent to Jail.
Dubai detention cells and main Prison are clean and safe.
Most inmates and all Police officers are both kind & treat each other like proper decent human beings.
How do I know, well I spent 11months in detention and 2 years at central.
I used my time reading books and helping other inmates write letters to thier families.
Yes there is one thing you have said that is true, and that is, there are some people inside that really don't belong there, and therefore I once again say, consider yourself very Lucky to get off so soon.
From a fellow Brit, who has been in Dubai for over 20 years, I don't do drugs, or fight in planes.
Next time pls do try setting a good example that we Brits can be proud of.
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