The mother of a 23-year-old woman sentenced to life imprisonment has issued a renewed appeal to the public.
Mia O’Brien, a resident of Merseyside, UK, received a life sentence after allegedly being found with 50g of cocaine in Dubai.
Danielle McKenna, Mia’s mother, initially launched a GoFundMe campaign to gather funds that would assist with legal expenses and travel costs, enabling them to visit Mia.
Reports suggest Mia is held in Dubai’s central prison, known for its ‘hellish’ conditions. However, her mother mentioned that Mia has been moved to a different facility following her life sentence.
“I haven’t seen my daughter since last October. Mia is only 23 years old and has never done a bad thing in her life,” reads the text on the fundraising page.
“This is a young girl, who went to university to do law, and unfortunately got mixed up in the wrong so-called friends and made a very stupid mistake and is now paying the price.”
Though The Sun reports the GoFundMe page has been taken down, Danielle has posted a fresh plea on Facebook, stating her intention to create her own fundraiser.
In her Facebook message, she shared her bank information, writing: “I am going to set up my own, as they [GoFundMe] are nitpicking at everything… I would just like to thank everyone.”
A GoFundMe representative explained to the publication: “It was removed because it violates Term 9 of the Prohibited Conduct section in our Terms of Service.”
“Term 9 prohibits raising funds on GoFundMe for the legal defence of certain alleged crimes.”
Danielle spoke to the Daily Mail, describing Mia’s actions as a ‘stupid mistake.’
“I speak to her, but she can’t say too much on the phone,” Danielle noted. “She’s just made a stupid mistake after going over to see a friend and her boyfriend in Dubai.”
“… She was crying on the phone and saying ‘Oh mum – please forgive me’. I definitely don’t think she was going to sell the drugs or bring them back.”
“It’s a lot of drugs but there are others involved and she has just been caught up in it.”
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office website provides a strict advisory on the regulations regarding drugs in Dubai.
Their warning states: “There is zero tolerance for drug-related offences.”
“The penalties for trafficking, smuggling, using and possessing illegal drugs (including residual amounts) are severe.”
“Sentences for drug trafficking can include the death penalty. Possession of even the smallest amount of illegal drugs, including cannabis, can lead to a minimum 3-month prison term or a fine of between 20,000 UAE dirham and 100,000 UAE dirham.”
“The Emirati authorities count the presence of drugs in the bloodstream as possession. Some ‘herbal highs’ and products containing cannabidiol (CBD) are illegal in the UAE.”
“Possessing, concealing or making transactions with money from drug-related offences is illegal. You could get a prison sentence and a fine.”
“UAE airports have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items, including cannabis. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers. You can be arrested for carrying drugs, even residual amounts.”
An FCDO spokesperson commented: “We are supporting the family of a British woman detained in the UAE and are in contact with the local authorities.”