A TEENAGER who was jailed in Dubai over a holiday romance with a 17-year-old girl has been killed in a car crash.
Marcus Fakana, 19, tragically died yesterday after a collision in Tottenham, north London.
Marcus Fakana has died in a car crash just months after arriving back from his detention in the UAE
XFakana’s family and friends pleading for him to be released[/caption]
Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, who supported the teen and his family, shared the news on social media.
Speaking on X, formerly Twitter, she wrote: “We are heartbroken to share that our client and friend, Marcus Fakana, tragically lost his life in a car accident in Tottenham after his release from Dubai jail.
“His loss is a painful reminder of how precious life is and how unnecessary imprisonment robs people of time they can never regain.
“Every day of freedom matters.”
Marcus, who was 18 at the time, was sentenced to a year in prison for having consensual sex with a 17-year-old British girl.
Both Marcus and his young lover had met while on holiday with their families.
After returning to the UK and seeing pictures and chats, the girl’s mother reported the relationship to Dubai police, who then arrested Marcus at his hotel.
In Dubai, if an adult has a sexual relationship with a person under 18, they can be prosecuted for having a sexual relationship with a minor.
Marcus was then held for months in the notoriously harsh Al Awir prison.
His release followed sustained pressure from Detained in Dubai’s legal and advocacy teams, as well as public support, behind-the-scenes diplomatic discussions and a royal pardon application.
Marcus was eventually given a royal pardon by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and returned home early.
He arrived back in the UK in July before the tragic crash yesterday exactly three months after his release.
Fakana was a passenger in the car, which failed to stop after being requested to by the Metropolitan Police.
The force said officers temporarily lost sight of the vehicle after following it for about 60 seconds.
Cops then found it after the crash with a second car at The Roundway.
Seriously injured in the smash, Fakana was treated at the scene, but reportedly died soon after being admitted to hospital.
Further tributes poured in online for the teenager following his tragic death.
In a post shared on Facebook, one said: “I fought for you to be released from prison in Dubai, I did my best and this is how it ended.
“My condolences to papa crispin and ya marie.”
Another said: “Too young to die. When I heard that sad news early on tonight. My heart just sung in pain, felt useless.”
The teenager’s family had previously spoken of their relief when he was freed.
They wrote on Instagram: “We are grateful to share that Marcus is now home safe with us.
“This has been an incredibly difficult time, and we thank everyone who supported us through it.
“We kindly ask for privacy as Marcus rests and begins to heal.
“Our son is home.”
Detained in Dubai/PA WireFakana, 19, was detained in the UAE[/caption]
AFPMarcus was held at the harsh Al Awir prison for months[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
