Dubai’s Legal Dilemma: The Story Behind a Teen’s Imprisonment
An 18-year-old British teenager, Marcus Fakana, has pleaded for help after being detained in Dubai and facing a potential 20-year prison sentence.
The situation arose after the parents of a 17-year-old girl, with whom he had consensual relations while on holiday, reported the matter to Dubai authorities.
The girl’s mother reportedly discovered messages and photos on her daughter’s phone and filed a complaint upon returning to the UK.
Fakana claims he was unaware of the girl’s age difference and highlighted that their relationship would have been legal in the UK.
Dubai’s laws, though recently relaxed to allow extramarital relationships for tourists, still enforce strict punishments if such acts are reported by a spouse or guardian.
Fakana’s family has urged the UK’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, to intervene in his case.