Teen jailed in Dubai for holiday romance freed after royal pardon
Marcus Fakana, now 19, received a royal pardon from Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Detained in Dubai said.
The campaign group, which provides legal assistance to foreigners jailed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Gulf states, said that Fakana returned to the UK on July 3 and 'is currently recovering'.
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.
It is alleged that 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.
Fakana was sentenced to one year in jail for the relationship.
His case attracted widespread attention, with Sir Keir Starmer calling his arrest an 'extremely distressing' situation.
At the time of Fakana's sexual relationship with the girl, he was only a few months older than her, and their relationship would have been consensual under UK law.
But 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.
Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, said in a statement: 'His case has attracted significant public attention due to concerns about the criminalisation of tourists and disproportionate sentencing.
'We believe this case highlights the urgent need for expedited legal processes for foreign nationals and safeguards against unnecessary custodial sentences.'
She continued, 'We hope his story will prompt serious reconsideration of the UK's travel advice and its engagement with the UAE on human rights issues.
'Dubai could have chosen to fine and to deport him. Instead, the 18-year-old was sentenced to one year in prison.
'The impact on his life has been severe and there was no need for him to endure such trauma'.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been contacted for comment.
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She added: 'This was an extraordinary young man caught in a deeply unjust system. We thank everyone who stood by Marcus and helped bring him home.' 'Marcus is back where he belongs, but no one should have to endure this. 'We hope his story will prompt serious reconsideration of the UK's travel advice and its engagement with the UAE on human rights issues. Dubai could have chosen to fine and to deport him. 'Instead, the 18 year old was sentenced to one year in prison. The impact on his life has been severe and there was no need for him to endure such trauma'. Detained in Dubai has long criticised the UAE for having double standards, saying 'foreign visitors are treated as hardened criminals for the pettiest of conduct, while Emiratis and Gulf nationals involved in serious sex related crime and prostitution are given a free pass.' Detained in Dubai has helped more than 25,000 foreigners facing legal issues abroad over the past 18 years and continues to call for urgent reform of laws that routinely entrap and criminalise innocent visitors to the UAE. The organisation continues to support individuals facing legal jeopardy in the Gulf region and has assisted over 25,000 people in cases involving wrongful detention, travel risks, and legal abuse. Last month, as Marcus appealed for a pardon, Stirling said: 'This has been the most traumatic and life-altering experience imaginable for Marcus. 'He is barely an adult himself, and never intended to break any law. 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.' She said Marcus was only able to call his family sporadically for short periods, adding that the isolation had been mentally and emotionally devastating for both him and his loved ones. His parents had been urgently appealing to Foreign Secretary David Lammy, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the British Embassy in Dubai for assistance in advocating for his release. 'If Marcus could go back in time, he would,' added Stirling. '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. He's very young and this is a heart-breaking way to begin adulthood.' 'We are thrilled that after an intensive campaign, he was officially pardoned and is home safe, surrounded by those who love him. 'This was an extraordinary young man caught in a deeply unjust system. We thank everyone who stood by Marcus and helped bring him home.' She added: 'Marcus is back where he belongs but no one should have to endure this. He was 18 at the time and the British woman involved is now 18 too, a fact she did not divulge to him at the time. 'We hope his story will prompt serious reconsideration of the UK's travel advice and its engagement with the UAE on human rights issues. Dubai could have chosen to fine and to deport him. Instead, the 18 year old was sentenced to one year in prison. 'The impact on his life has been severe and there was no need for him to endure such trauma'. Detained in Dubai has long criticised the UAE for having double standards, saying 'foreign visitors are treated as hardened criminals for the pettiest of conduct, while Emiratis and Gulf nationals involved in serious sex related crime and prostitution are given a free pass.' Detained in Dubai has helped more than 25,000 foreigners facing legal issues abroad over the past 18 years and continues to call for urgent reform of laws that routinely entrap and criminalise innocent visitors to the UAE. 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