A London resident, aged 18, is facing potential years behind bars after engaging in sexual relations with a 17-year-old British girl he encountered in Dubai, campaigners report.
Marcus Fakana was vacationing with his family in the UAE when a “holiday romance developed” with the girl, who is also from London and has since turned 18.
“We were really fond of each other, but she had to keep things secret from her family due to their strict nature,” he shared with the Detained in Dubai group.
“My parents were aware of our relationship, but she couldn’t inform hers. She had to arrange meetings without mentioning that it was to see a boy.”
After returning to her home, the couple reportedly had hoped to pursue their relationship further in the UK.
However, Mr. Fakana recounted that local law enforcement arrived at his family’s hotel and took him into custody without any justification.
He was detained for three days and not permitted to contact or communicate with his parents, as stated by Detained in Dubai, an organization dedicated to advocating for individuals they believe have faced injustice.
The group indicated that Mr. Fakana was arrested and charged following the girl’s mother discovering their messages and photos after returning to the UK and subsequently contacting Dubai authorities.
Dubai attracts millions of visitors each year. Pic: Reuters
Dubai is recognized for its stringent regulations on matters including drugs, alcohol, and extramarital sexual relations – and advocates assert that the youth from Tottenham could face a 20-year prison term.
“Dubai has only recently sanctioned premarital sexual relations for tourists, yet still maintains a strict Islamic legal framework,” remarked Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai.
“The girl was only a couple of months younger than Marcus, and he was unaware of this at the time. Since his detainment, she has celebrated her 18th birthday, which means Marcus would not be subjected to 20 years imprisonment.”
“This is not a situation that Dubai should be pursuing in a legal context.”
The identical relationship in the UK would not represent a criminal offense.
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Mr. Fakana and his family are requesting intervention from Foreign Secretary David Lammy, their local MP, regarding the situation.
The 18-year-old is no longer detained but remains unable to depart the country and indicates that his family is incurring costs of £2,000 for accommodations until the resolution of his case.
“They live modestly; my mother is employed as a cleaner and my father at a warehouse,” he disclosed to Detained in Dubai. “They saved rigorously for this one-time holiday and have exhausted all their savings.”
Earlier this year, an Irish flight attendant faced charges of attempted suicide by Dubai authorities and was barred from exiting the UAE.
Ultimately, the charges were dismissed, and she was permitted to return home following the intervention of politicians and media attention.
