A British teen in Dubai prison spent New Year’s in isolation as protests for his release are planned for the weekend
Dubai: A British teen named Marcus Fakana is currently serving a one-year sentence in Dubai. He spent New Year’s in isolation, which has sparked a lot of concern back home.
Marcus, just 18, was convicted for having a relationship with a girl who was 17 at the time. In Dubai, the age of consent is 18, so things took a serious turn when her mother reported them to the police after returning to the UK.
It’s worth noting that this relationship would have been perfectly legal in the UK, where the age of consent is 16. Now, Marcus is in a tough spot, spending his New Year alone while undergoing health checks before his sentence officially starts.
Radha Stirling, who is helping with his case, shared that he can’t even talk to his family right now. She called the situation “outrageous,” especially since the girl’s mother was able to file a complaint from abroad.
Marcus’s family has reached out to Foreign Secretary David Lammy for assistance, feeling a bit left in the lurch by the British government. After turning himself in, Marcus is hoping for a pardon from Dubai’s ruler.
In response to the situation, a protest is being organized by his family, aiming to raise awareness and push for action. They’re calling it Justice for Marcus F and plan to march from Parliament Square to Downing Street.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, the family expressed their determination to bring Marcus home and urged the government to step in. They’ve been fighting hard and appreciate all the support they’ve received so far.
