Marcus Fakana, an 18-year-old British tourist, has been sentenced to one year in a Dubai prison after being convicted of having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl while on vacation. Although the relationship would have been legal in the UK, Dubai law requires both parties in a consensual relationship to be at least 18 years old. The incident occurred during a family holiday in August, and the girl’s mother reported the relationship to Dubai authorities after finding messages and photos on her daughter’s phone.
Fakana, who described the relationship as a “holiday romance,” has apologized publicly, claiming he was unaware of the legal implications in Dubai. “I never intended to break the law,” he said. “Please give me my life back.” Despite his sentence, legal experts have warned that Fakana could face up to 20 years in prison if prosecutors appeal, a possibility that has left his family deeply worried.
The case has highlighted the complexities of navigating Dubai’s legal system, especially for foreigners. Fakana’s lawyer, David Haigh, noted that any appeal hearing would likely be conducted in Arabic, without much input from Fakana himself. This lack of participation, combined with strict enforcement of laws in Dubai, has made the family fearful of a harsher outcome.
Supported by the campaign group Detained in Dubai, Fakana’s family continues to advocate for leniency, but they will have to “wait and see if the prosecution is going to apply for a harsher sentence. That real possibility is frankly freaking the family out.”
