Young British Student Faces Life Behind Bars in Dubai

Mia O’Brien, a 23-year-old British woman from Huyton, Liverpool, has been jailed for life in Dubai in 2025. The case has garnered international attention and raised concerns about the severe legal consequences foreigners can face in the United Arab Emirates.

Background and Arrest

O’Brien, who grew up in Huyton, Merseyside, was described by her mother as a “bright young girl who never did a bad thing in her life.” She pursued her studies in law at university, but according to her family, she later became involved with the wrong circle of friends. In October 2024, she traveled to Dubai, where she has since been detained.

Current Situation and Legal Implications

The 23-year-old law student was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted of drug charges. Her arrest occurred in October when police allegedly found her with 50 grams of cocaine in an apartment.

Prison Conditions and Family’s Response

Reports from prison indicate that O’Brien must sleep on a mattress on the floor and shares her cell with six others. While she hasn’t been seriously ill, she has developed some rashes.

The British Foreign Office has confirmed they are “supporting the family of a British woman detained in the UAE and are in contact with the local authorities”.

Legal Warning for Travelers

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office warns Britons about the dangers of drug-related offences, stating that UAE authorities ‘count the presence of drugs in the blood stream as possession.’ The penalties for trafficking, smuggling, using and possessing illegal drugs (including residual amounts) are severe. Sentences for drug trafficking can include the death penalty.

For non-Emirati citizens, a life sentence in the UAE typically translates to 25 years of imprisonment, followed by deportation.