A British teenager locked up in Dubai after a holiday romance has made an emotional plea to be allowed home, saying the whole ordeal has shattered his life. Marcus Fakana, just 19 years old, is currently behind bars in Al Awir Prison and has now formally asked Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s ruler, for clemency.
The trouble began when Marcus, who was 18 at the time, started a relationship with a 17-year-old girl from the UK while they were both on holiday with their families. What would have been completely legal and uncontroversial back home has turned into a nightmare abroad, landing Marcus a one-year prison sentence under local laws, reported the BBC.
Now, several months into his sentence, Marcus is said to be enduring tough conditions in isolation. The emotional toll is growing, with only limited contact allowed with his family. His hopes now rest on the possibility of a humanitarian pardon that could be issued this month.
“This has been the most traumatic and life-altering experience imaginable for Marcus,” said Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, the group supporting his family. “He is barely an adult himself and never intended to break any law. What happened was legal in the UK and consensual.”
Marcus’s parents have been tirelessly appealing for help, reaching out to Foreign Secretary David Lammy and the Foreign Office, and pleading with the British Embassy in Dubai to intervene.
They’ve described their son’s ordeal as heartbreaking and fear the long-term impact on his mental health. The family says Marcus has expressed deep remorse and has made it clear that he now fully understands and respects the laws of the UAE.
“If Marcus could go back in time, he would,” Radha said. “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 heartbreaking way to begin adulthood.”
The case has sparked fresh warnings about the dangers Brits, particularly young people, can face when visiting countries with very different legal systems. Marcus’s story has now become a rallying cry for greater awareness among UK travellers.
Radha added: “Parents need to be aware that teens can be charged in the UAE for behaviour that would not be considered criminal at home. Whether that’s a relationship, social media activity, or even drinking alcohol.”
The situation has left Marcus’s family in pieces. They’re hoping that if enough people in the UK show support, the Dubai authorities will take notice and grant mercy. His mother and father are urging the public to understand that their son isn’t a criminal, just a teenager who made a mistake he never even knew was a crime.
“Marcus is struggling, and this experience will leave a permanent scar. We implore Sheikh Mohammed and the government of Dubai to hear his pleas and let him come home.”
As the deadline for pardons draws near, Marcus continues to cling to hope. All he wants now is a chance to move on and start over, back home in the UK.
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