A 23-year-old British law student has been sentenced to life in prison in Dubai for what her family has described as a “very stupid mistake.”
Mia O’Brien is currently incarcerated in Dubai’s central prison. Her mother, Danielle McKenna, 46, has launched a fundraiser to cover legal fees and travel costs, stating she is “absolutely devastated” and has not seen her daughter since last October.
On the fundraising page, McKenna explained that her daughter, who was studying law, “got mixed up with the wrong so-called friends.” She added, “Mia is only 23 years old and has never done a bad thing in her life… and is now paying the price.”
While the specific details of O’Brien’s offense have not been disclosed, a life sentence in the United Arab Emirates typically equates to 15 years. Such penalties are usually reserved for serious crimes like drug trafficking, terrorism, or major violent offenses.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) explicitly warns travelers of the UAE’s strict laws. Official guidance notes a “zero tolerance” policy for drug-related offenses, with severe penalties for trafficking, smuggling, and possession. Even trace amounts of illegal drugs can lead to a minimum three-month prison sentence or a substantial fine, and the presence of narcotics in the bloodstream is legally considered possession. UAE airports utilize advanced technology to detect illegal substances in luggage, including that of passengers in transit.
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