An 18-year-old Briton has been sentenced to a 12 months in jail in Dubai after a “holiday romance” with a woman who was 17 on the time.
Marcus Fakana was together with his household within the UAE when he met the lady – who’s additionally from London and is now 18.
The pinnacle of marketing campaign group Detained in Dubai mentioned it was a “disgrace” and Mr Fakana felt deserted by the British authorities since his arrest in September.
He is anticipated to enchantment in opposition to the sentence.
Mr Fakana beforehand mentioned the pair saved their romance secret from the lady’s household “because they were strict” and had hoped to proceed seeing one another again within the UK.
Nonetheless, he mentioned police turned up at his household’s lodge and took him into custody with out rationalization.
Detained in Dubai mentioned Mr Fakana was arrested and charged after the lady’s mom discovered their chats and footage after they received again to the UK and known as Dubai police.
“[Marcus] was desperately hoping to come home this week but prosecutorial mishandling in the first stages of the case meant it wasn’t heard as a misdemeanour when it should have been,” mentioned the group’s boss Rahda Stirling.
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The emirate attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. Pic: Reuters
Mr Fakana and his household have urged International Secretary David Lammy, their MP in Tottenham, to intervene within the case.
The International Workplace has mentioned it is in touch with them.
Dubai is well-known for its strict legal guidelines on medication, alcohol and intercourse – the age of consent is eighteen and strictly enforced.
In a earlier assertion, prosecutors mentioned: “Under UAE law, the girl is legally classified as a minor, and in accordance with procedures recognised internationally, her mother – being the legal guardian – filed the complaint.
“Dubai’s authorized system is dedicated to defending the rights of all people and making certain neutral judicial proceedings.”
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Irish citizen Tori Towie’s tried suicide cost was dropped. Pic: Detained in Dubai
Earlier this 12 months, an Irish cabin crew member was charged with tried suicide by Dubai authorities and prevented from leaving the UAE.
The costs have been ultimately dropped and he or she was allowed residence after politicians and the media highlighted the case.
