A British 18-year-old was sentenced to one year in a Dubai prison on Wednesday after he had sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl.
Marcus Fakana, from London, was vacationing with his family in September when he entered a romantic relationship with the girl, also from London, who was staying at the same hotel.
Fakana was arrested after the girl’s mother reported the relationship to Dubai police.
He said that he was unaware that the girl was 17 when they met.
Fakana’s family has set up a GoFundMe for legal fees, living costs and travel expenses as they continue to fight for his release. The fundraiser has raised over £36,000 ($46,000).
The family said he is “very scared” and “his mental health is starting to decline.”
“What was meant to be a happy time has turned into a nightmare for him, our family, and our friends. This has happened as a result of someone trying to misuse UAE law against him,” the family wrote on the fundraiser page.
The family has asked for assistance from government officials, including Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum and U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
A representative for Fakana, Radha Stirling, called the sentence an “utter disgrace” and said Fakana plans to appeal. Stirling is the founder of Detained in Dubai, a U.K.-based organization that helps foreigners detained abroad.
“He was desperately hoping to come home this week ,but prosecutorial mishandling in the first stages of the case meant it wasn’t heard as a misdemeanor when it should have been,” Stirling said on Facebook.
She urged vacationers to travel elsewhere until Fakana is freed.
“I urge young people and parents to reconsider holidays in Dubai, where so many people find themselves at risk of unfair and lengthy detention in prisons notorious for human rights abuses and torture,” Stirling said.
She said U.K. leaders had “failed” Fakana and said it is “an embarrassment to Britain.”
Fakana previously told Detained by Dubai that he had a “wonderful time” with the 17-year-old girl.
“We really liked each other, but she was secretive with her family because they were strict,” Fakana said. “My parents knew about our relationship, but she couldn’t tell hers. She had to meet me without telling them it was to see a boy.”
He also recounted being taken into custody by police.
“They said they were taking me in for questioning, but wouldn’t tell me why,” Fakana said. “I couldn’t imagine what for. I was frightened and my parents were terrified.”
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