An 18-year-old British national has been handed a one-year prison sentence in Dubai following a “holiday relationship” with a girl who was 17 at the time.
Marcus Fakana was on vacation with his family in the UAE when he encountered the young woman, who also hails from London and is now 18 years old.
The leader of the advocacy group Detained in Dubai reported that Mr. Fakana has felt forsaken by the British authorities since his apprehension in September.
He is anticipated to contest his sentence through an appeal.
Mr. Fakana previously mentioned that the couple kept their relationship hidden from the girl’s parents “due to their strictness” and had hoped to continue their romance upon returning to the UK.
However, he claimed that police arrived at the family’s hotel and took him into custody without providing any rationale.
Detained in Dubai stated that Mr. Fakana was arrested and charged after the girl’s mother discovered their conversations and photos upon their return to the UK and reported the matter to the Dubai authorities.
“[Marcus] was fervently hoping to return home this week, but prosecutorial errors during the initial stages of the case led to it not being categorized as a misdemeanor when it should have been,” commented the group’s director Rahda Stirling.
The emirate attracts millions of visitors each year. Pic: Reuters
Mr. Fakana and his family have called upon Foreign Secretary David Lammy, their local MP in Tottenham, to intercede in the situation, and the Foreign Office has confirmed ongoing communication with them.
Dubai is renowned for its stringent regulations concerning drugs, alcohol, and premarital relations.
Its age of consent is set at 18 and is rigorously enforced.
The Dubai Public Prosecution previously stated: “According to UAE law, the girl is legally regarded as a minor, and in line with internationally recognized procedures, her mother – as the legal guardian – lodged the complaint.
“Dubai’s legal framework is dedicated to safeguarding the rights of all individuals and ensuring fair judicial processes.”
Irish citizen Tori Towie’s charge of attempted suicide was dropped. Pic: Detained in Dubai
Earlier in the year, an Irish airline crew member faced charges of attempted suicide by Dubai authorities and was barred from departing the UAE.
Eventually, the accusations were dismissed, allowing her to return home after intervention from politicians and media attention to the case.
