Latest news with #MarkusFakana
The Independent
07-07-2025
- The Independent
British teenager jailed in Dubai for sex with 17-year-old freed after royal pardon
A British teenager jailed in Dubai for having sex with a 17-year-old girl is back in the UK after being freed by a royal pardon. Markus Fakana, now 19, was on holiday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in August 2024 when he struck up a holiday romance with the British girl who was staying at the same hotel. The girl's mother reported him, who was 18 at the time, to local authorities after discovering messages between the teenagers. Mr Fakana, from Tottenham, north London, was jailed for several months after being sentenced to serve a year in prison last December. But he has now released and returned to the UK on Thursday 3 July, after receiving a royal pardon from Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, campaign group Detained in Dubai said Detained in Dubai chief executive Radha Stirling said: 'It all happened so fast and he was nervous until the plane left the tarmac. 'We are relieved Marcus was released early from his one year long prison sentence. He's currently recovering from the ordeal.' In an official statement, Ms Stirling added: 'Marcus should never have been put through this. He was supposed to spend a short few days with his family but ended up spending nearly a year in the tourist destination.' The UAE has only recently made sex outside of marriage legal for tourists, but under UAE law the 17-year-old girl was a minor and her mother, her legal guardian, reportedly filed the complaint against Mr Fakana. Mr Fakana claimed he was unaware the girl, who is also from London and has since turned 18, was months younger than him when they first met. In the UK, the age of consent for sexual activity is 16. He was serving his sentence at the Al Aweer jail, which is also known as the Dubai Central Prison for Men, before his release. The prison houses death row inmates and some of Dubai's worst criminals - including terrorists, murderers and rapists, according to reports. There were reports of poor food handling and inadequate general hygiene in special detention facilities for drug offenders. Media reports and NGOs stated some detainees in State Security Department custody did not receive adequate access to medical care. Speaking in temporary accommodation while on bail, last year, Mr Fakana told campaign group Detained in Dubai: 'My family and I are devastated and in shock. 'I never intended to break the law. It didn't occur to me at the time and for that, I'm sorry. I am asking His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum to please forgive me and pardon me. Please give me my life back.'
Irish Independent
10-06-2025
- Irish Independent
British teenager Marcus Fakana jailed in Dubai over sex with girl (17) pleads for clemency
©UK Independent A British teenager who is in prison in Dubai for having consensual sex with a 17-year-old girl has written to authorities asking for clemency. Markus Fakana, now 19, was on a holiday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) when he struck up a holiday romance with the British girl who was staying at the same hotel. Register for free to read this story Register and create a profile to get access to our free stories. You'll also unlock more free stories each week. Already registered? Log In
The Independent
09-06-2025
- The Independent
British teenager Marcus Fakana jailed in Dubai over sex with girl, 17, pleads for clemency
A British teenager who is in prison in Dubai for having sex with a 17-year-old girl has written to authorities asking for clemency. Markus Fakana, now 19, was on a holiday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) when he struck up a holiday romance with the British girl who was staying at the same hotel. The girl's mother reported Fakana, who was 18 at the time, to local authorities after discovering messages between the teenagers, and Fakana was arrested. The age of consent in the UAE is 18, and in December, he was sentenced to a year in prison over the encounter. The BBC reports that Fakana has written to the UAE's vice president and prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum from Al-Awir prison, asking to be released. Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, told the BBC it had been 'the most traumatic and life-altering experience imaginable for Marcus,' adding he had never intended to break the law. "Marcus is struggling, and this experience will leave a permanent scar," Ms Stirling said. "We implore Sheikh Mohammed and the government of Dubai to hear his pleas and let him come home." Ms Stirling told the BBC that parents needed to be aware that behaviour that would not be considered criminal in the UK could lead to criminal charges in the UAE, including drinking alcohol or certain social media activity. The UAE has only recently made sex outside of marriage legal for tourists, but under UAE law the 17-year-old girl was a minor and her mother, her legal guardian, filed the complaint against Fakana. 'What happened was legal in the UK and consensual. But now he is facing permanent damage to his mental health and future prospects because of it,' Ms Stirling said, adding that it was a 'heartbreaking way to begin adulthood'. "If Marcus could go back in time, he would. He has shown remorse and fully respects the laws of the UAE. He only hopes the government will show compassion and allow him to return home to rebuild his life," she continued. Fakana's parents have appealed to the British Embassy in Dubai, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and the Foreign Office for help advocating for his release. A Foreign Office spokesperson said: 'We are supporting a British man in the UAE and are in contact with his family.' Consular officials are understood to be in regular contact with Fakana, his family and his legal team. Mr Lammy said: 'It would not be appropriate for me to comment on any individual case, except to say that, of course, as you would expect his family have had all the full support available.' At the time of his sentencing, a UAE government spokesperson said: 'Dubai's legal system is committed to protecting the rights of all individuals and ensuring impartial judicial proceedings.'
