An 18-year-old man sentenced to one year in a Dubai jail for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl has handed himself in to begin his sentence, a campaign group has said. Marcus Fakana, of Tottenham, north London, “now hopes for a pardon” from Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Detained in Dubai said.
In a message from Mr Fakana shared by the group, he thanked those who have supported him “throughout my fight”. “I’m grateful for all the people who helped by donating to me and my family,” he said, signing off with “goodbye Marcus.F”. Radha Stirling, the group’s chief executive, said she was worried about the “impact of Dubai prison on an 18-year-old’s life”.
“It wasn’t easy to find the words to say to him as he surrendered his freedom,” she said. Mr Fakana was with his parents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the end of August when a “holiday romance blossomed” with another Londoner, who has since turned 18, the campaign group previously said.
After returning to the UK and seeing pictures and chats, the girl’s mother reported the relationship to Dubai police, who then arrested Mr Fakana at his hotel, it is alleged. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: “We are supporting a British man in the UAE and are in contact with his family.”.
