this post was submitted on 11 Dec 2024
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Marcus, from Tottenham, North London, had been enjoying a holiday with his parents when he met a fellow Brit at the same hotel. A holiday fling sparked and the pair spent time together until the girl, also from London, flew back to Britain.

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. The relationship would be legal in the UK.

Marcus and his parents were set to fly back shortly after - but their plans were thrown into chaos when police knocked on their hotel room door. The "terrified" teenager was then reportedly hauled in for questioning without any explanation and held at the Al Barsha Police Station, DID said. He spent three days there, during which time he was not allowed to make a phone call or speak with his parents, it is claimed.

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 week ago (1 children)

On one hand, yeah, that sucks.

On the other hand, you go to a foreign country, you're subject to their laws, and it's on you to be aware of them.

There are weapons that I could happily lug around in the US that the UK would take issue with if I were to be doing so in the UK. Do I personally feel that British law is going the right way on this? No. However, it's British territory, and so British law has jurisdiction. Saying "but I'm from the US and that would be perfectly legal back home" isn't going to carry a lot of water with British courts, or, I expect, with British public opinion.

Similarly, a Brit can't exactly go to the UAE and just do as one does in the UK and expect the UAE to accept it because something's legal in the UK. International travel is a lot cheaper and easier than it ever has been historically, but once you walk across the line of a sovereign territory, it's got real consequences, and if you choose to travel internationally, it's on you to be aware of them. That country isn't just a tourism spot for people from Country X, but a home for people who live there. They've got their own rules and concerns.

The chief executive of campaign group Detained in Dubai said Mr Fakana felt abandoned by the British government. He's expected to appeal against his sentence.

I don't really see a reasonable complaint against the British government here, at least from the article text.

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[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Poor Marcus - I have a feeling this wouldn’t be an issue if he was white.

[–] [email protected] 24 points 1 week ago (1 children)

If he was Arab

Fixed that for you. This is in the extremely oppressive Dubai/UAE where any kind of extramarital thing is very much illegal.

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[–] [email protected] 58 points 1 week ago (6 children)

I'm curious how the authorities were even aware of this occurring. The article says they were on holiday, so it's not like there was much time. How did anyone notice their ages? Was it just fishing for a charge because of unrelated reasons?

[–] [email protected] 81 points 1 week ago (6 children)

Either

  1. They're always watching. I'm in tech and was taught in my security training - when traveling to countries with extremely strong surveillance, assume you are bugged. Family could be high valued and they wanted something from the parents. Probably a bit too tinfoil hat.

  2. Vengeance girl's parents could be assholes/racist. As a dude, Ive had my share of "mommy & daddy doesn't like me for taking their precious flower". Multiplier in effect if they have a problem that I'm a PoC.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 week ago (11 children)

Probably saw them socializing and then followed him on security cameras. Possibly seeing him go in her hotel room or vice versa. Then they haul him in and he admits what went on

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[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (6 children)

As I'm reading this story I keep wondering...
How in the hell did the authorities even catch wind of this even happening?
Did someone report them?
Are all the rooms tapped and monitored Stasi-style?

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 week ago

Teenagers in love are hardly subtle. Staff probably reported them.

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[–] [email protected] 39 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Sry no sympathies. You vacation in a religiously oppressive hell hole this is what you get. Stay the fuck out of Dubai.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 week ago

"Wasn't me."

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago

Backward degenerates.

[–] [email protected] 122 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Dubai is a terrible place. People need to stop going there.

[–] [email protected] 29 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I even worry about transiting places like this.

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[–] [email protected] 42 points 1 week ago

I won't say I'll never go to Dubai, but I will say I'll do my best to never end up there.

[–] [email protected] 275 points 1 week ago (14 children)

I will never understand why this place is idolized by so many people...

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

💰 💵💰

[–] [email protected] 128 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (15 children)

Or why you'd even vacation there. How tf did they convince people to vacation in a desert?

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[–] [email protected] 50 points 1 week ago (1 children)

If you are talking about social media it is likely that they aren't allowed to post something negative about the country or else you can be fined. If you are working as an influncer in Dubai you'll need to obtain an license which regulates what you can post but you basically pay no income taxes

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[–] [email protected] 23 points 1 week ago (2 children)

For the Middle East, it's relatively progressive, from what I understand. That being said, that's a low low bar.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)
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[–] [email protected] 32 points 1 week ago

I first thought you wrote “from the Middle East” yeah no. Dubai is Saudi Arabia with better PR.

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