A young man who had been imprisoned in Dubai for engaging in a relationship with a girl has passed away in a car accident just three months after his release.
Marcus Fakana, aged 19, lost his life in the early hours of Friday morning following a collision in Tottenham, located in north London. He was a passenger in a vehicle that was being pursued by the police when it collided with another vehicle. Marcus sustained severe injuries and was quickly taken to the hospital, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
The driver of the vehicle involved in the crash, also a 19-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of failing to stop and driving recklessly.
Last December, Marcus was sentenced to a year in prison in the UAE after engaging in a consensual relationship with a British girl who was 17 at the time, while he was 18. Although Dubai does not have a specified age of consent, any sexual activity outside of marriage is considered illegal.
Upon returning from a holiday and discovering pictures and conversations between the couple, the girl’s mother reported the relationship to the Dubai police, leading to Marcus’s arrest at his hotel.
He spent six months in the notorious al-Awir prison, known for its harsh conditions, and had limited contact with his family during his incarceration.
Family and friends initiated a fervent campaign urging UAE authorities and the British government to secure his release, with support from Detained in Dubai, a UK-based legal aid organization representing him during his imprisonment.
On July 3, Marcus was granted a royal pardon by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and reunited with his family in London shortly after.
Tragically, Marcus passed away in a collision on Friday morning, as confirmed by his family. Expressing her grief on social media, his aunt lamented, “I fought for you to be released from prison in Dubai, I did my best and this is how it ended?”
Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, described Marcus as a resilient individual who was hopeful about his future. She expressed deep sorrow over the untimely end to his journey as he was beginning to rebuild his life.
The Metropolitan Police provided an update on the incident, stating that Marcus was involved in a collision after a police pursuit in Tottenham. The driver, Marwaan Mohamed Huseen, 18, has been charged with multiple offenses including causing death by dangerous driving and will appear in court.
The family of Marcus has requested privacy during this challenging time as they continue to receive support from authorities.