A British teenager who was jailed in Dubai after he was reported to authorities for having sex with a 17-year-old girl has pleaded with authorities to be released.
Marcus Fakana, from North London, was sentenced to a one-year prison term in the UAE after a holiday romance with the teenage girl, who is now also 18, was reported to police by her mother.
The Tottenham-born teenager handed himself over to authorities in Dubai after he was sentenced to the prison term - with Mr Fakana currently serving out his term at the notorious Al Awir maximum security prison.
The incident, which took place during a family holiday in September, saw Mr Fakana arrested after the girl and her family had safely returned to the UK.
Fakana has now written to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s ruler, from his prison cell pleading for his release.
Justice For Marcus, Protest March and Rally from Parliament Square to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Whitehall, London, UK. Picture: Alamy
Justice For Marcus, Protest March and Rally from Parliament Square to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Whitehall, London, UK. Picture: Alamy
The teen had previously pleaded with the emirate’s ruler to "let me go home" after his sentence was handed down, admitting his family were "devastated and in shock."
In a message posted before entering prison, the student wrote: "Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my fight."
Marcus, who was 18 when his relationship with the 17-year-old girl began, remains behind bars after several months spent in the max-security prison.
The harsh conditions in the notorious jail have led the teenager to rest his hopes on the possibility of a humanitarian pardon from Dubai’s ruler.
Following his latest plea for clemency, Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai said: "This has been the most traumatic and life-altering experience imaginable for Marcus.
Marcus Fakana. Picture: Detained in Dubai
"He is barely an adult himself, and never intended to break any law. What happened was legal in the UK and consensual.
"But now he is facing permanent damage to his mental health and future prospects because of it."
It’s been reported by the charity that the teenager is only able to call his family sporadically, with the isolation said to be negatively impacting him mentally and emotionally.
Following the conviction, the teenager was expected to appeal the verdict, however, he instead chose to hand himself in to authorities to avoid further extending his already lengthy legal ordeal.
An appeal in the UAE could have seen the teenager handed an even harsher jail sentence.
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