Jailed US music producer pardoned in Dubai: paper

DUBAI (Reuters) - Hip-hop producer Dallas Austin was granted a pardon on Tuesday hours after a Dubai court sentenced him to four years in jail for possession of narcotics, a local newspaper said.


The report on the Gulf News Web site did not say who issued the pardon, which is usually granted by the rulers of the emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates.

"Dallas Austin has been pardoned," the newspaper quoted judicial sources as saying.

It was not clear if Austin, who has worked with stars including Madonna and Michael Jackson, had left Dubai.

Local newspapers said on Monday Austin had pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine during the trial at the Dubai Court of First Instance.

They said Austin was arrested at Dubai airport on May 19 when police found at least 1.26 grams of the drug and other illegal substances in his possession.

Austin was reportedly flying into Dubai to attend a birthday party for supermodel Naomi Campbell. "I'm guilty, but it was a mistake," he was quoted as telling the court. "I didn't realize I had the drugs with me and I didn't intend to use them here in the UAE."

Drug trafficking in the UAE carries the death penalty, but in practice executions are rare. Drug smuggling convictions of foreigners often result in a jail term followed by deportation.

Diplomats say Dubai, one of seven emirates that make up the UAE and the Gulf region's trade and tourism hub, is a busy route for drug trafficking between Asia and Europe