Dubai Ruler Grants Pardon to British Teen Jailed Over Consensual S£x With Tourist

A British teenager who was jailed in Dubai for engaging in consensual s£x with another UK tourist has been released after serving seven months behind bars.

Marcus Fakana, a 19-year-old from Tottenham in North London, was granted a royal pardon by the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, according to the advocacy group Detained in Dubai.

Fakana had been imprisoned in 2024 after being arrested during a holiday in the United Arab Emirates, where he met and formed a brief relationship with a fellow British tourist. Although the relationship was consensual, the girl involved was just under 18 at the time only a month away from her birthday. Under UAE law, s£x with anyone under the age of 18 is considered a criminal offence, regardless of consent.

The two teens reportedly met while vacationing with their families at a luxury hotel. The situation escalated after the girl’s mother discovered messages exchanged between them upon returning to the UK and subsequently reported Marcus to the UAE authorities. He was 18 at the time of the alleged offence.

His case quickly gained international attention, sparking outrage and renewed criticism of the UAE’s strict morality laws, which penalise personal and consensual relationships often impacting foreign nationals more severely.

Following his release, campaigners and supporters celebrated the news of his safe return to the UK. Fakana arrived home on Thursday, July 3, after spending seven months in Al Awir Prison in Dubai.

Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, which led advocacy efforts for his release, confirmed that his freedom followed weeks of behind-the-scenes work, including a formal application for royal clemency.

“Marcus should never have had to endure this ordeal,” Stirling said in a statement to MailOnline. “What was supposed to be a brief family getaway turned into a nearly year-long nightmare in a country that markets itself as a tourist haven.”

She added, “We are absolutely thrilled that after an intensive campaign involving legal appeals, diplomatic efforts, and massive public support, Marcus has been officially pardoned. He’s now home, safe and surrounded by loved ones.”

The teenager’s family has expressed deep appreciation for the overwhelming support received throughout the ordeal. According to Stirling, his case highlights broader human rights issues and flaws within the UAE’s legal system that the UK government must address.

“Marcus is a remarkable young man who found himself trapped in a system that is both harsh and unjust,” she continued. “His release is a relief, but the emotional toll he’s endured is undeniable.”

She emphasized the need for the UK to review its travel advisories and diplomatic approach to the UAE, stating: “Dubai could have chosen a more humane approach such as imposing a fine and deportation. Instead, they sentenced an 18-year-old to a year in prison.”

“This ordeal has had a lasting impact on Marcus’s life. No one should have to experience this level of trauma, especially for a consensual act between two teenagers on holiday.”