British teenager Marcus Fakana jailed in Dubai over holiday romance with girl

A British teenager has been jailed in Dubai for having intercourse with a 17-year-old woman whereas the pair had been on vacation.

Marcus Fakana, an 18-year-old from Tottenham in north London, was on a visit together with his dad and mom when he struck up a vacation romance with the woman, who was staying on the identical resort.

Upon discovering out concerning the relationship, the unnamed woman’s mom reported Mr Fakana to Dubai police and he was arrested.

On Wednesday, he was sentenced to 1 12 months in a Dubai jail his attorneys declare is “infamous for human rights abuses and torture”.

His household have issued a plea on to Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum to spare Mr Fakana a jail time period over the sexual encounter, which might be authorized within the UK.

His consultant Radha Stirling, from Detained in Dubai, branded the sentence an “utter shame” and stated Mr Fakana would attraction.

In a press release, she stated: “He was desperately hoping to come back residence this week however prosecutorial mishandling within the first phases of the case meant it wasn’t heard as a misdemeanour when it ought to have been.

Calling on a boycott of the nation, she added: “I urge younger individuals and fogeys to rethink holidays in Dubai the place so many individuals discover themselves susceptible to unfair and prolonged detention in prisons infamous for human rights abuses and torture.

“Holidaymakers ought to guide elsewhere till Marcus is free. There may be a lot public assist for Marcus. They need to see him residence and a 12 months in jail is just not solely unreasonable, it’s an utter shame.”

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Ms Stirling, a veteran skilled witness in extradition instances involving the United Arab Emirates, stated that the British authorities had deserted {the teenager}, singling out Sir Keir Starmer who had spent the weekend within the Gulf state.

She added: “The UK has prioritised commerce offers over individuals’s lives. That is actually abhorrent. David Lammy and Keir Starmer have failed Marcus.

“This is a humiliation to Britain. The Labour authorities needs to be ashamed they haven’t secured the liberty of a teenage vacationer. It wasn’t a troublesome job.”

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Mr Fakana claims he was unaware the woman, who can be from London and has since turned 18, was months youthful than him after they first met.

Below UAE regulation, the woman is legally labeled as a minor and her mom, being the authorized guardian, filed the criticism.

An Emirati authorities spokesman stated: “Dubai’s authorized system is dedicated to defending the rights of all people and making certain neutral judicial proceedings.”

Dubai has solely just lately made intercourse out of marriage authorized for vacationers however the nation nonetheless has a strict Islamic authorized system in place. Within the UK, the pair’s relationship could be authorized.

Mr Fakana, who is claimed to have been “overwhelmed” by supporters within the UK, beforehand advised Detained in Dubai: “We had a beautiful time collectively. We actually favored one another however she was secretive together with her household as a result of they had been strict. My dad and mom knew about our relationship however she couldn’t inform hers. She needed to meet me with out telling them it was to see a boy.

“When she left, I couldn’t wait to see her once more after I acquired residence. Then all of a sudden, police knocked on our resort door. They stated they had been taking me in for questioning however wouldn’t inform me why. I couldn’t think about what for. I used to be frightened and my dad and mom had been terrified.”

His household have arrange a GoFundMe to lift cash for Mr Fakana’s authorized prices, explaining they went to the UAE to have a good time his father’s birthday.

Mr Fakana and his household have urged the international secretary David Lammy, their MP in Tottenham, to intervene within the case.

A Overseas Workplace spokesperson stated: “We’re supporting a British man within the UAE and are in touch together with his household.”