British Teenager Jailed in Dubai Pleads for Clemency
A 19-year-old British teenager, Marcus Fakana, who is serving a one-year jail sentence in Dubai for having sex with a 17-year-old girl, has written to the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, pleading for clemency. Fakana, from Tottenham, north London, was sentenced in December after a consensual relationship with the girl, who is also British, while on holiday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to reports, the girl’s mother reported Fakana to the UAE authorities after seeing messages between the two when she had returned to the UK. The age of consent in the UAE is 18, and Fakana was aged 18 at the time of the incident. Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, a charity that provides support to British nationals detained abroad, said: "This has been the most traumatic and life-altering experience imaginable for Marcus. He is barely an adult himself, and never intended to break any law. What happened was legal in the UK and consensual. But now he is facing permanent damage to his mental health and future prospects because of it."
Fakana has been held in Al Awir Prison, where he has been allowed to make sporadic phone calls to his family. However, the isolation has been mentally and emotionally devastating for both him and his loved ones. His parents have been urgently appealing to Foreign Secretary David Lammy, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and the British Embassy in Dubai for assistance in advocating for his release. Stirling added: "If Marcus could go back in time, he would. He has shown remorse and fully respects the laws of the UAE. He only hopes the government will show compassion and allow him to return home to rebuild his life."
The case has highlighted the need for increased awareness and diplomatic protections for citizens abroad. Detained in Dubai warned that parents need to be aware that teens can be charged in the UAE for behaviour that would not be considered criminal at home, whether that’s a relationship, social media activity, or even drinking alcohol. Stirling said: "Parents need to be aware that teens can be charged in the UAE for behaviour that would not be considered criminal at home. Marcus is struggling, and this experience will leave a permanent scar. We implore Sheikh Mohammed and the government of Dubai to hear his pleas and let him come home."
The government of Dubai has previously stated that under UAE law, the girl is legally classified as a minor and, in accordance with procedures recognised internationally, her mother – being the legal guardian – filed the complaint. They added: "Dubai’s legal system is committed to protecting the rights of all individuals and ensuring impartial judicial proceedings." An FCDO spokesperson said: "We are supporting a British man in the UAE and are in contact with his family."
As Fakana continues to serve his sentence, his case has sparked concerns about the treatment of British nationals abroad. The UK government has been urged to take a stronger stance in advocating for the rights of its citizens detained overseas. Fakana’s plea for clemency has been supported by Detained in Dubai, which has called for the UAE government to show compassion and allow him to return home.
In a statement, Detained in Dubai said: "Marcus’s case highlights the need for increased awareness and diplomatic protections for citizens abroad. We will continue to support him and his family in their efforts to secure his release." As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Fakana’s plea for clemency will be granted. However, his case has already sparked a wider conversation about the need for greater protections for British nationals detained abroad.
Marcus Fakana’s story was first reported by the BBC, and has since sparked widespread concern about the treatment of British nationals in the UAE.
