November 21st 2024.
A young man from the United Kingdom, who just turned 18, may face up to 20 years in jail in Dubai for engaging in a consensual relationship with a girl only a year younger than him. What started as a joyful family vacation for Marcus Fakana, from London, has turned into a nightmare that has lasted for months. While staying at the same hotel, Marcus developed a brief romance with a 17-year-old girl, and now the British government is being urged to step in on behalf of the Fakana family, according to the BBC.
The ordeal for the 18-year-old began in September when the girl's mother discovered photos and social media conversations of their relationship and reported it to the Dubai police. Although the girl has now turned 18, according to the human rights group Detained in Dubai, the consequences for Marcus remain the same. When speaking with Radha Stirling, from Detained in Dubai, Marcus shared that he and the girl had planned to continue their relationship once back in the UK. "We had such a great time together. We really liked each other, but she had to keep it a secret from her family because they were very strict," he explained. "While my parents knew about our relationship, she couldn't tell hers. We had to sneak around and meet without her family knowing."
Marcus was arrested by the police while still staying at the hotel with his parents. "They took me in for questioning, but they wouldn't tell me why," he recalled. "I was so scared, and my parents were terrified." For three days, Marcus was held at the Al Barsha police station, unable to make a phone call or speak with his parents. According to the BBC, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is currently assisting a British man in the United Arab Emirates and is in contact with his family.
Stirling shared that Marcus' parents, who work as warehouse cleaners, are "extremely worried" about their son's detention. She also mentioned that due to the strict laws in the country regarding sex outside of marriage, Marcus could potentially face up to 20 years in jail. "While Dubai recently legalized out-of-wedlock sex for tourists, the country still follows a strict Islamic legal system," Stirling explained. "It's important to note that the girl was only a few months younger than Marcus, and he was unaware of her age at the time. Now that she has turned 18, Marcus is facing such a severe punishment. This is not a case that Dubai should be prosecuting."
Marcus and his family are now reaching out to the British Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, who also happens to be their local Member of Parliament, for assistance. While the teenager is no longer being held in a police cell, he is still unable to leave Dubai, and his family has incurred expenses of £2000 for Airbnb accommodation while awaiting the resolution of his case.
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