UK Teen Freed from Dubai Jail After Royal Pardon
UK Teen Freed from Dubai Jail After Royal Pardon
British teenager Marcus Fakana has been released from a Dubai prison following a royal pardon granted by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The 18-year-old from Tottenham had been sentenced to one year in Al Aweer prison in December 2024 after being convicted over a consensual relationship with a 17-year-old British girl while on holiday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Although the relationship would have been legal in the UK, the UAE’s laws set the age of sexual consent at 18, leading to Fakana’s conviction. The case drew widespread media attention and sparked an international outcry, with many questioning the fairness of the punishment and the application of local laws to foreign visitors unaware of such legal differences.
The campaign group Detained in Dubai, along with his family and supporters, led public campaigns, protests in London, and legal appeals over several months to pressure the UAE government into releasing Fakana. His release was granted just days before Eid al-Adha, a traditional time for pardons in the region.
Fakana returned to the UK on 3 July 2025, reuniting with his family after spending over six months in detention. In a statement, his family expressed gratitude for the support received and called for better guidance for British tourists traveling to countries with strict legal systems.
Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, welcomed the pardon but warned that similar cases could happen again unless the UK government takes a stronger stance on protecting its citizens abroad. She added that tourists should not be subject to jail time for actions that are legal in their home countries.
The incident has reignited debate over the treatment of foreign nationals in the UAE’s legal system and the need for clear travel advisories. Campaigners are urging the UK Foreign Office to improve its warnings and legal support for travellers, especially in countries where laws differ dramatically from those in the UK.
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