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18-year-old Marcus Fakana from Tottenham handed himself into Dubai's Al Awir prison after being convicted of being in a relationship and having sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old girl in Dubai. He will serve a one-year sentence in prison.
Marcus Fakana was holidaying in Dubai when in September, he started romancing a girl from London who was also vacationing with her family in the United Arab Emirates. After their return to London, the girl's mother discovered their messages and photos, prompting her to contact Dubai police, leading to Fakana’s arrest at his hotel.
Although she turned 18 the next month, UAE law states that it is illegal to have s*x with anyone below the age of 17.
A GoFundMe has been set up to bring Marcus Fakana home. The original target was £20K, but it has already hit over £49K. According to the description, the GoFundMe is to help with Marcus Fakana’s legal and living expenses while he is in Dubai.
The money raised is said to be used to pay the remaining legal fees which have increased due to the length of the case and his accommodation, living expenses, and travel costs to bring him back to the UK when the case is over.
In the campaign description, it is mentioned that:
"On August 26th our son (Marcus) went to the UAE to celebrate his father's birthday and join a family reunion. What was meant to be a happy time has turned into a nightmare for him, our family, and our friends. This has happened as a result of someone trying to misuse UAE law against him. He is being charged with a crime that could lead to imprisonment for up to 20 years."
Radha Stirling, the CEO of the advocacy group 'Detained in Dubai', confirmed that Fakana voluntarily surrendered to the authorities and planned to serve his one-year sentence at Dubai's al-Awir prison.
Marcus Fakana is being backed by Detained in Dubai
Detained in Dubai is a human rights and legal advocacy group that supports individuals who face legal issues or detention in the UAE, particularly in Dubai. The organization raises awareness, provides legal assistance, and helps people navigate the complex legal system in the UAE.
They assist with arrests, detentions, unfair trials, and other legal matters, especially for foreign nationals.
In a video on X, Radha Stirling, the CEO of Detained in Dubai said:
"I've just spoken to Marcus Fakana on the phone. He's obviously devastated after being sentenced to one year in prison for sexual relations with someone one month younger than him."
Radha Stirling also went on to criticize the nature of the punishment by saying:
"He could've been issued with a fine and deportation which would be an absolutely more appropriate sentence for someone of his age who clearly didn't intend to break the law."
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In a follow-up message on Marcus Fakana's GoFundMe page, his family expressed deep gratitude for the unwavering support shown to Marcus and them during a difficult time.
They acknowledged that the support had made it possible for Marcus to have his parents by his side, allowing him to spend Christmas with them.
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