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London teen jailed for one year in Dubai after 'holiday romance' with 17-year-old girl (www.mylondon.news)

submitted 1 week ago by ByteOnBikes@slrpnk.net to c/nottheonion@lemmy.world

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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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[–] KoalaUnknown@lemmy.world 8 points 1 week ago (2 children)

I too read every law of a foreign country before I visit them. /s

[–] GBU_28@lemm.ee 21 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Word to the wise, there are countries you absolutely should read the laws for certain things.

Like Singapore. Watch out with things like ADHD meds which need prior approval.

[–] KoalaUnknown@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I agree, but most people aren’t going to do more than search “important rules to know before visiting x”.

[–] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I mean.... When I searched for "important rule to know before visiting dubai" I found this: https://www.expatwoman.com/dubai/guide/faqs/expatwomans-guide-to-dubai-etiquette-how-to-behave-in-dubai

The following are also considered illegal in Dubai: use or possession of drugs, cohabitation, sex outside of marriage, having a baby out of wedlock, adultery and homosexuality.

Important to note that I DO NOT blame the teens. They were doing what teens do. BUT they would have been well advised to research Dubai a bit more than, say, France for what to do and what not to do.

[–] Buelldozer@lemmy.today 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

...sex outside of marriage, having a baby out of wedlock

Those laws were changed starting in January of 2022.

So while you did research you are trusting some no-name website with information from 2013 in regard to legal matters, matters that could result in execution if you get it wrong. As a point of fact before the law change in 2022 the so called "Age of Puberty" was 14 so what this guy did wouldn't have been illegal based on age!

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/legal/explained-new-uae-law-on-unmarried-parenting-sexual-assault-extramarital-affairs

This kind of circumstance is why reasonable places in the world don't prosecute this stuff when both parties are tourists. It can be damn difficult to know precisely what is and what isn't in any given area.

People need to stay the hell out of Dubai.

[–] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 week ago

So while you did research

No - I just did a quick google search.. That's not "research" unless you're a partisan trying to support a position...

My point is that that alone would be enough to make me start looking further into what's up with my destination. I've considered trips to the middle east before and my wife is very nervous about going there as a woman. Because, as you say, it can be very difficult to know what is or is not legal. Or even just what will get us in trouble with hyper-religious assholes.

[–] ech@lemm.ee 14 points 1 week ago (1 children)

This arrest is shitty and the comment above you is stupid, but you should absolutely be aware of the laws of wherever you go. Being a visitor somewhere doesn't bestow the right to ignore the law.

[–] jqubed@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago

Yes, although I wouldn’t really expect a teenager to read up on age of consent laws, especially when traveling. They probably should, but I wouldn’t think them likely to.