DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — 23-Year-old British law student, Mia O’Brien, has been sentenced to 25 years in a Dubai prison after authorities found 50 grams of cocaine in her apartment—an offense prosecutors treated as trafficking rather than simple possession. The UK-based student, originally from Liverpool and studying law at the University of Liverpool, maintains her innocence, calling the incident a “very stupid mistake” and insisting she had no intention to distribute the drugs.
O’Brien was convicted following a single-day trial conducted in Arabic, a language she does not fully understand. Her mother, Danielle McKenna, denounced the proceedings as unfair and criticized the harsh sentence.
Harsh Prison Conditions and Appeals Ahead
Since her conviction, O’Brien has been held in Dubai’s Central Prison (also known as Al-Awir), notorious for its overcrowding, inadequate facilities, and reports of sexual violence and abuse. She currently shares a cell with six other inmates and sleeps on a thin mattress on the floor.
The student’s mother has launched an appeal against the verdict and is fundraising for legal expenses. Her initial GoFundMe campaign was removed for violating platform policies, prompting her to seek support through private channels instead.
Broader Concerns and Public Reaction
O’Brien’s case has drawn international attention and sparked debate about how encryption and enforcement of drug laws impact foreign nationals in places with zero-tolerance drug policies like the United Arab Emirates.
