An 18-year-old British man sentenced to one year of imprisonment in a Dubai jail for having sex with a 17-year-old girl has handed himself into UAE authorities to begin his jail term, a campaign group has said.
Marcus Fakana, of Tottenham, North London, “now hopes for a pardon” from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the emirate’s ruler, Detained in Dubai said.
In Dubai, if an adult has a sexual relationship with a person under 18, they can be prosecuted for having a sexual relationship with a minor.
In a message from 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.
Marcus Fakana is hoping that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, pardons him – Getty Images/Waleed Zein
Fakana was with his parents in the 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 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.”
Consular officials are said to be in regular contact with Fakana, his family and his legal team, but the Government is not able to interfere in the country’s judicial system.
Fakana has received backing from members of the public, and a Change.org petition calling on the Government to offer him stronger support received more than 40,000 signatures.
A fundraiser set up by Fakana’s family entitled “Help bring Marcus home” has raised more than £35,000, to which Game Of Thrones actor Kit Harington gave £500, according to GoFundMe.
