British Law Student Jailed for 25 Years in Dubai; Mother Launches New Fundraising Plea

Mia O’Brien, a 23-year-old law student from Merseyside, UK, has been sentenced to 25 years in a Dubai prison after being found in possession of approximately 50 grams of cocaine in her apartment.

The conviction followed a one-day trial conducted in Arabic. Authorities also imposed a fine of £100,000.

Mum’s Heartbreaking Plea

Her mother, Danielle McKenna, described the incident as a “very stupid mistake.” She shared her shock and devastation, emphasizing Mia had “never done a bad thing” before this event.

In a deleted GoFundMe message, Danielle revealed she hadn’t seen her daughter since October, calling the situation a living nightmare.

Prison Conditions: A Harrowing Nightmare

Mia is being held in Al-Awir Central Prison, infamously dubbed “Dubai’s version of Alcatraz.” Danielle painted a harrowing picture: her daughter shares a crowded cell with six other women, sleeps on a floor mattress, and often witnesses violence.

Basic needs and emergency access are severely limited.

Fundraising Woes & Direct Donations

Danielle attempted to launch a GoFundMe campaign to help cover legal fees and travel expenses, but it was promptly removed. The platform cited violations of its policy banning funds for legal defense of certain alleged crimes. In response, the grieving mother publicly shared her bank details on Facebook to accept donations directly.

An appeal is expected to commence in the coming weeks. Danielle remains hopeful that Mia may be granted clemency following Ramadan and possibly allowed to serve her remaining sentence in the UK.

Legal Context and Zero-Tolerance Policy

The UAE enforces stringent laws on drug offenses. Even trace amounts can result in severe punishment, including long-term imprisonment—or in some cases, the death penalty.

Possession can also be inferred from a positive blood or urine test.

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