The UK government is supporting an 18-year-old man who allegedly faces up to 20 years in jail for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old in Dubai.
Marcus Fakana, of Tottenham, was with his parents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the end of August when a “holiday romance blossomed” with another Londoner, who has since turned 18, campaign group Detained In Dubai said.
After returning to the UK and seeing pictures and chats, the girl’s mother reported the relationship to Dubai police, who then arrested Mr Fakana at his hotel, it is alleged.
He was held at the “notorious” Al Barsha Police Station for three days, unable to make a phone call or speak with his parents, according to Detained In Dubai.
In Dubai, if an adult has a sexual relationship with a person under 18, they can be prosecuted for having a sexual relationship with a minor.
The relationship would be legal in the UK.
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said: “We are supporting a British man in the UAE and are in contact with his family.”
18yr old Londoner detained in #Dubai and faces 20 years in jail over sex with a 17 year old Brit. Marcus and his family are calling on local MP, Rt Hon David Lammy for assistance. Please help Marcus @DavidLammy pic.twitter.com/AIEdSpZbt9
— Radha Stirling (@RadhaStirling) November 20, 2024
Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained In Dubai, who is assisting Mr Fakana, said: “This is clearly a very strict mother to involve police in a private matter that is completely legal in the country where she lives and where the children have grown up.
“Perhaps she wasn’t aware that she triggered the possibility of a young man of only 18 spending the next 20 years in prison.
“Dubai has only recently legalised out-of-wedlock sex for tourists but still hosts a strict Islamic legal system.
“The girl was just a few months younger than Marcus and he didn’t know that at the time.
“Since his arrest, she has turned 18 and Marcus would not be facing 20 years in jail.
“This is not something Dubai should be prosecuting.”
Mr Fakana told Detained In Dubai that he and the girl “had a wonderful tome together” and “really liked each other” and that he was “frightened” when police officers arrested him.
He went on: “I’m living in Airbnb’s that are costing my family £2,000 per month. They had to go home to work.
“They earn a humble living, my mother is a cleaner and my dad works in a warehouse.
“They saved up for this one off holiday and they have now used all of their savings.
“The police demanded 10,000 AED (£2,200) for bail which I’ve been told is not normal and the costs are mounting.
“I’m here all alone.
“I pray this nightmare will be over and I’ll be home for Christmas.”
Police in Dubai have been approached for comment.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article