An 18 year old British man, Marcus Fakana, is facing a potential 20-year prison sentence in Dubai following a holiday romance with a 17-year-old girl.

Fakana, who was on vacation with his parents, met the girl at their hotel and the two developed a relationship.

After they returned home, the girl’s parents discovered messages and photos on her phone, prompting them to report Fakana to the authorities.

He claims he was unaware that the girl was younger than him at the time, asserting that their relationship would be legal in the UK.

Fakana recounts that he and the girl enjoyed their time together but had to keep their relationship secret from her strict family.

Upon returning home, he was taken into custody by police while still in Dubai, where he was held for three days without contact with his family.

Radha Stirling, CEO of the advocacy group Detained in Dubai, is assisting Fakana and expressed concern over the situation, noting the severe consequences that can arise from cultural differences in legal standards.

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Fakana’s family has reached out to David Lammy, the UK Foreign Secretary, for intervention, urging that the Dubai authorities should drop the case.

This incident follows another recent case in which a Northern Irish man was detained in Dubai for a negative online review, highlighting ongoing concerns about the UAE’s strict legal environment.