British Teen Controversially Imprisoned in Dubai for Having Sex With 17-Year-Old Gets Early Release

An 18-year-old from Tottenham who was arrested over a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old fellow Londoner in Dubai has been given an early release, per multiple reports.

In a press release, Detained in Dubai, self-described as “a uniquely effective advocacy group” focused on human rights violations and wrongful detention, announced that the teen in question, Marcus Fakana, now 19, had “returned safely to the United Kingdom” as of July 3.

Below, we break down the teen's arrest, which has received international attention and inspired protests in recent months.

Why was the British teen in jail?

Per a December 2024 report from BBC News, Fakana, who was 18 at the time, was on vacation with his family in the United Arab Emirates in September of that year when he and the then-17-year-old engaged in a relationship described as consensual. According to the report, the girl’s mother later saw messages between her daughter and Fakana, at which point she reported him to Dubai authorities, leading to his arrest and eventual one-year sentence.

In the region, the girl, despite being only months younger than Fakana, was considered by UAE law to be “legally classified as a minor.”

How did the British teen secure an early release?

The Detained in Dubai press release, initially shared on Monday, noted that Fakana had been “officially pardoned,” leading to his release and return home.

“Marcus is back where he belongs,” Radha Stirling, Detained in Dubai’s CEO, said in a statement. “But no one should have to endure this. He was 18 at the time and the British woman involved is now 18 too, a fact she did not divulge to him at the time.”

Stirling continued, “We hope his story will prompt serious reconsideration of the UK’s travel advice and its engagement with the UAE on human rights issues. Dubai could have chosen to fine and to deport him. Instead, the 18-year-old was sentenced to one year in prison. The impact on his life has been severe and there was no need for him to endure such trauma.”

Has the teen's family spoken out?

The same press release referenced above also included confirmation that Fakana was expected to speak out in due time, with additional information set to be released “in the coming days.”