- German Rolf Buchholz, who holds the world record for having the most piercings, was refused entry into Dubai because of security concerns. He was due to perform at a Dubai nightclub.
- Associated Press
The world’s most pierced man proved too much for Dubai authorities on Friday as they refused him entry amid allegations of “black magic”.
Rolf Buchholz had just arrived in Dubai and passed through immigration control when his passport was taken from him by airport authorities. The German, who has 453 piercings, including 158 around his lips, was billed as an act at Dubai’s trendy Cirque le Soir nightclub. The club boasts a circus atmosphere with midgets, contortionists and burlesque dancers.
“It’s the first time I had problems getting into a country,” Mr. Buchholz told BBC 5 Live news on Sunday. He said the authorities who escorted him back to a plane to fly out of Dubai claimed he was “black magic”.
Mr. Buchholz has 16 piercings in his right ear, according to Guinness World Records, 15 in his left ear, 25 in his eyebrows, 8 in his nose, 94 in and around his lips, 2 in his tongue, 8 in the rest of his body, 3 in his nipples, 4 in his navel and 278 in the genital area.
“I have never had problems,” added Mr. Buchholz, who also has two horns protruding from his forehead.
The entry denial was reported widely in the international press, and will likely underscore Dubai’s image as a destination where authorities are often erratic in their approach to dealing with tourists.
Strict rules around alcohol consumption, which are not widely enforced, have nevertheless meant tourists have been arrested in the past. Islamic laws that dictate women cannot have sex before marriage have also led to a number of high profile arrests in recent years of alleged rape victims.
A spokesman for the immigration department at Dubai airport declined to comment. Cirque Le Soir said he was wasn’t allowed in the country for “security reasons.”
Jad Lahoud, executive director of Pragma Lifestyle, which runs Cirque Le Soir, said he would continue looking for acts to bring “something new” to the Dubai nightlife scene.
“It was a shame that Rolf couldn’t join us this time,” added Mr. Lahoud.
Mr. Buchholz couldn’t be reached for comment, but according to his twitter feed, a return visit to Dubai isn’t high on his to do list.
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(via WSJ Blogs)
