19-year-old Marcus Fakana was jailed in Dubai over a relationship with a girl aged 17.
What was meant to be a relaxing holiday for Marcus Fakana, a teen from North London, turned into a nightmare. The 19-year-old had travelled to Dubai with his parents in August 2024, but things took a drastic turn after he got involved in a romantic relationship with a 17-year-old girl.
Under UAE law, this act is considered illegal as the age of consent is 18. Fakana was found guilty and sentenced to one year in prison, spending months behind bars at Al Awir Prison.
Last week, Fakana was quietly freed after receiving an Eid pardon from Dubai’s ruler,Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum — a tradition during major Islamic holidays.
The rights group Detained in Dubai confirmed he has safely landed back in the UK and reunited with his family. The group had taken a keen interest in the case, highlighting the heavy punishment and legal gap between UAE laws and Western norms.
The whole saga started after the teenage girl’s mother, who found messages between the two after their trip, reported the matter to Emirati authorities. Fakana’s actions, while legal in the UK, breached UAE legal boundaries, sparking public debate over how tourists are treated in Dubai.
Radha Stirling, the head of Detained in Dubai, called the punishment “disproportionate,” noting that such laws put many young travellers at risk without them even knowing.
This case once again highlights how even simple acts like dating, alcohol use, or social media interactions can lead to legal trouble in the UAE. Experts say many visitors don’t realise the cultural and legal differences until it’s too late.
The UK’s Foreign Office confirmed Fakana’s release under the Eid amnesty, and noted that he had requested privacy, choosing to return home quietly to his family in North London.
Fakana’s ordeal is a warning to families planning trips to countries with tough laws. What may be seen as normal teenage behaviour in the UK can quickly become a crime abroad.
Tourists are urged to study local rules, and parents, especially, are being reminded to guide their children on what is acceptable, or risk facing serious consequences in foreign lands.
