Music producer Dallas Austin has been released from prison in Dubai, after being granted a pardon by the emirate's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. As previously reported, Austin was recently sentenced to four years in prison for being found in possession of 1.26 grammes of cocaine at Dubai Airport, after he 'forgot' to dispose of it before leaving the US. The producer's lawyer, Joel A Katz told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper: "He is on the plane and safely out of the country."
Mr Katz also disputed widespread reports that Austin visited Dubai to attend Naomi Campbell's birthday party, explaining that the producer had visited the state to take in some gigs.