British Teenager Jailed in Dubai for Consensual Relationship with 17-Year-Old Girl
A British teenager, Marcus Fakana, who was sentenced to one year in prison in Dubai for having a consensual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, has made a heartfelt plea to the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for his release. According to reports from Ladbible, Fakana, 19, from Tottenham, north London, engaged in a consensual relationship with the girl while on holiday with his family in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The age of consent in the UAE is 18, and Fakana was 18 years old at the time of the relationship. However, the girl’s mother reported the incident to the UAE authorities after returning to the UK, which led to Fakana’s arrest and subsequent sentencing in December. Ladbible reports that Fakana was "terrified" when police showed up at his hotel door, and he had no idea what he was wanted for.
Rasha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, a legal aid company supporting Fakana and his family, expressed concerns about the case, stating that it was "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." Stirling added that Fakana’s experience has been "the most traumatic and life-altering experience imaginable" for him, and that he is struggling to cope with the situation.
Fakana has now written to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum from Al Awir Prison, asking for his release. Stirling said that Fakana is "barely an adult himself, and never intended to break any law," and that he "only hopes the government will show compassion and allow him to return home to rebuild his life." Ladbible reports that Fakana’s family has been advocating for his early release, and that Detained in Dubai has been supporting them throughout the ordeal.
The UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has confirmed that it is supporting Fakana and is in contact with his family. A spokesperson for the FCDO told Ladbible: "We are supporting a British man in the UAE and are in contact with his family."
Fakana’s case has raised concerns about the UAE’s strict laws and the consequences of consensual relationships between young people. As reported by Ladbible, Stirling said that Fakana’s experience will leave a "permanent scar" and that he faces "permanent damage to his mental health and future prospects." The case highlights the need for greater awareness and understanding of the laws and customs in different countries, and the importance of supporting individuals who find themselves in difficult situations abroad.
