A British teenager who was imprisoned in Dubai after being found guilty of having physical relations with an underage British girl has been released.
In a statement sent to Khaleej Times on Monday, the Government of Dubai Media Office said UK national Marcus Fakana was released on June 3 this year.
“(He) was released as part of a pardon issued by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum — in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai — to 985 inmates of various nationalities from Dubai’s punitive and correctional establishments, on June 3, 2025, ahead of Eid Al Adha,” DMO noted.
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UAE Rulers have pardoned hundreds of prisoners last month. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered the release of 963 inmates from penal and correctional facilities who had been sentenced in various cases.
Sheikh Mohammed also ordered the release of 985 prisoners of different nationalities from Dubai’s correctional and punitive establishments. The prisoners were found eligible for the royal pardon after displaying good conduct and behaviour while serving their sentence.
According to a BBC report, Fakana, 19, from Tottenham, north London, was sentenced in December to a year’s imprisonment after a consensual relationship with the girl, who is also British, while on holiday in the UAE.”
BBC also quoted a spokesperson for UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) saying: “(Fakana) was released on an Eid pardon.
“We understand he wanted to get back to the UK without media attention and to see his family. We supported him and were in contact with them,” FCDO added.
