British Teenager Faces Imprisonment in Dubai Over Relationship with 17-Year-Old Girl

A human rights advocate has stated that an 18-year-old British man could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years in Dubai. This potential sentence stems from his involvement in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old British girl during their vacation in the emirate. Marcus Fakana, from Tottenham, north London, was on holiday with his family when he initiated a private holiday romance in September with another London resident, who has since reached the age of 18, according to Radha Stirling from the advocacy organization Detained in Dubai. Ms Stirling reported that after the individuals returned to their home country, the girl’s mother discovered images and messages, subsequently reporting the relationship to the Dubai police. Mr. Fakana was then apprehended by the police at his hotel. Comment has been sought from the London embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) stated: “We are supporting a British man in the UAE and are in contact with his family.” Ms. Stirling, who is the founder and chief executive of Detained in Dubai – an organization that assists foreigners overseas and is recognized as an international authority on UAE law – conveyed that Mr. Fakana and his parents were “extremely distressed” by the unfolding situation. She further mentioned that his parents, employed as a cleaner and in a warehouse, “don’t know what to do” and have been compelled to go back to London to resume their jobs, leaving their son behind. Speaking to BBC London, Ms. Stirling remarked: “It’s a unique case in that it’s the first one we’ve brought to the media where it’s a British citizen and where the age difference is so small.” She proceeded to state: “We are not talking about any abuse or taking advantage of anyone. “This is clearly just a case of two older teenagers, both of them now the same age, who have been caught up because a mother reported the behaviour.” She further commented: “This has gone absolutely viral and people just don’t think it’s fair. “They are shocked that something that is absolutely legal in the UK could warrant 20 years in prison [in Dubai].”That would ruin their their son’s life, the whole family’s lives. Is that worth it?” Detained in Dubai, established in 2008, has indicated that it has reached out to Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who also serves as Mr. Fakana’s Member of Parliament. Ms. Stirling additionally stated: “UAE targets westerners for tourism, offers cheap flights, takes out expensive PR agents and marketing in newspapers but there’s very little warning us about what can happen to us if we go to Dubai. “What sort of crimes can we be arrested for? Because if you look at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) website, it’s nowhere near thorough enough.” The guidance provided on the FCDO website specifies: “Consensual sexual relationships between a male and female outside marriage are generally legal as long as both are over the age of 18 years. “This includes extra-marital sexual relationships.”If a person aged 18 or over has a sexual relationship with a person under 18 years old, they will be prosecuted for having a sexual relationship with a minor.” For the top content from BBC Radio London, tune into Sounds, and connect with BBC London on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk Copyright © 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the material found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external links is available for review.