Supporters of 18-year-old Marcus Fakana, imprisoned for having sex with a 17-year-old British girl, staged protests across central London this past Saturday. The protesters, who gathered at Parliament Square before marching to Downing Street, held banners emblazoned with the message "Bring Marcus home." This gathering reflects growing public outrage over Fakana's current one-year prison sentence, which has been described as highly disproportionate.
Fakana, from Tottenham, North London, was arrested during a holiday with the now 18-year-old girl back in September 2022. The mother of the girl reported him to the authorities after discovering messages exchanged between the two. Following this, Fakana faced legal repercussions under the United Arab Emirates (UAE) law, which sets the age of consent at 18. While the girl did not press charges against him, the circumstances surrounding the case led to his conviction.
Radha Stirling, the CEO of Detained in Dubai, has been vocal about the severity of the situation, calling Fakana's sentence "unfathomable." She criticized the legal system, stating, "It does not warrant tearing this family apart and ruining this young 18-year-old's life.” Stirling expressed confidence about the possibility of overturning the custodial sentence on appeal but acknowledged the prolonged effort required to push for justice. She posed the question, "The question is how long is this going to take and how much effort is required?" Her remarks were echoed by many at the demonstration.
Fakana's family has been deeply affected by his imprisonment. During the protests, his loved ones shared their hopes for his swift release, underscoring the emotional toll the situation has taken on the family. While Fakana was out on bail before formally beginning his sentence at the end of December, his family had to return to their jobs to cover his legal costs and living expenses in temporary accommodation. The distressing conditions under which Fakana is currently being held have led to claims such as being subjected to solitary confinement and facing restrictions on telephone access.
Fakana himself issued a heartfelt message to his supporters, expressing his gratitude by stating, "Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my fight. It's been a long fight, but nothing is hard with my lord and savior Jesus Christ guiding me." This statement highlights his resilience during this challenging time, where he is relying on the support of his family, friends, and the wider community.
Rallying behind their cause, supporters have raised over £50,000 through crowdfunding to assist with his legal expenses, reflecting the public's growing engagement with the case. Many are now urging Foreign Secretary David Lammy to take diplomatic action to secure the release of their friend and advocate for legal reforms within the UAE, which is known for its strict laws surrounding sexual conduct.
The anguish surrounding this case has provoked significant debate, with community members and advocates calling for justice for not only Marcus but for all expatriates caught unawares by the laws of foreign countries. The situation has ignited discussions about the support networks available to foreign detainees and the need for greater awareness around the legal ramifications of being abroad.
While hopes for securing Fakana's release persist, time will tell how seriously the UK government will take these calls for action. With potential intervention from authorities, there are also expectations of support from Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who may have the power to pardon Fakana. Observers remain cautiously optimistic about these efforts.
Fakana's case serves as both a cautionary tale and rallying point for many advocating against what they perceive to be unfair legal measures affecting British citizens abroad. With protests for justice continuing, the battle for Marcus Fakana is far from over as supporters vow to keep fighting for his release.