A British teenager imprisoned in Dubai for engaging in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl has tragically passed away in a car accident just three months after his release.
Nineteen-year-old Marcus Fakana was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a collision in Tottenham, north London, during the early hours of Friday morning. He was taken to the hospital with severe injuries but unfortunately succumbed later.
According to the Metropolitan Police, officers attempted to pull over a car, but after a brief chase lasting about a minute, they lost track of the vehicle, which was later discovered crashed into a truck.
At the time of the relationship, Fakana was 18 years old. He was granted a royal pardon by the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in July after serving a year-long prison sentence.
Radha Stirling, his attorney and founder of the group Detained in Dubai, remarked, “He was thankful for the kindness shown to him by the British public, and his challenging experiences led him to a renewed commitment to Christianity and prayer.”
“Marcus was relieved to have regained his freedom and was eager to work towards a brighter future.”
The girl’s mother alerted authorities after she discovered messages between her daughter and Marcus upon returning to the UK.
Ms. Stirling further noted, “Marcus spent most of this year confined in a Dubai prison, which undoubtedly inflicted lasting mental distress upon him.”
“It’s heartbreaking that of the entire year, he was only free for those three months from July 3 to October 3.”
Marwaan Mohamed Huseen, from Argyle Road in Tottenham, has been charged in connection with the fatal accident.
The 19-year-old faces charges of causing death by dangerous driving, operating a vehicle without insurance, driving without a valid license, and failing to stop at the scene.
He is scheduled to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court soon.
The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards has been notified regarding this incident, as has the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
