Angela Johnson
A young British man, Marcus Fakana, is currently facing legal trouble in Dubai after a romance that began during his family vacation turned problematic. The 18-year-old from London was staying at a hotel in Dubai when he began a secretive relationship in September with a 17-year-old girl, also from London.
The relationship, which was kept hidden from the girl’s strict family, came to light when her mother found compromising text messages and photos on her daughter’s phone after returning to the UK. The mother reported the situation to Dubai police, leading to Fakana’s arrest at his hotel.
Fakana spoke with Detained in Dubai, an advocacy group for foreign nationals facing legal issues in the UAE, explaining that while his parents were aware of the relationship, the girl could not inform her family due to their strict rules. “She had to meet me secretly without telling them it was to see a boy,” Fakana explained.
Since his arrest, Fakana has been left alone in Dubai, while his parents returned to London to manage his growing legal expenses. The police have demanded a 10,000 AED bail, a sum Fakana claims is unusually high. Despite being out on bail, Fakana remains in Dubai and prays to return home before Christmas.
While the relationship between Fakana and the girl, who has since turned 18, would not have been considered illegal in the UK, Dubai’s laws are significantly different. According to the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), a consensual sexual relationship outside of marriage is only legal in the UAE if both individuals are over 18. As a result, Fakana could now face up to 20 years in prison.
Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, shared with The Guardian that although Dubai has recently legalized out-of-wedlock sex for tourists, the country’s strict Islamic legal system still applies. Stirling hopes the case will gain international attention, allowing for a fair resolution for Fakana.
