A British teenager Marcus Fakana will spend one year in jail after being sentenced for engaging in a “holiday romance” his recently turned 18 years old girlfriend.
Marcus who is 18 was holidaying with his family in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) when he met the girl who was also with her family for a vacation in September.
Marcus and his girlfriend have seeing each other for a while with the parents of the girl who was 17 at the time of contact, not knowing about the relationship.
On returning home to the UK the girl’s mother filed a complaint to the Dubai police who subsequently detained and prosecuted Marcus.
He’s expected to appeal against the sentence.
Marcus and his family have urged UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who is also their MP in Tottenham, to intervene in the case.
It is against the law in the UAE to have sexual relationship with a minor.
Dubai is well known for its strict laws on drugs, alcohol and sex – the age of consent is 18 and strictly enforced.
“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 legal system is committed to protecting the rights of all individuals and ensuring impartial judicial proceedings,” said the Dubai police prosecutor.
Marcus said his girlfriend decided not to tell her parents about their relationship.
“We really liked each other but she was secretive with her family because they were strict,” Marcus told the human rights group Detained in Dubai. “My parents knew about our relationship but she couldn’t tell hers. She had to meet me without telling them it was to see a boy.”
