British Law Student’s GoFundMe Removed Amid Dubai Prison Case

A fundraising campaign initiated for Mia O’Brien, a British law student sentenced to life imprisonment in Dubai, has been removed by GoFundMe for violating its guidelines. The 23-year-old is currently incarcerated in the UAE city’s Central Prison following what her family described as a “very stupid mistake.”

Mia’s mother, Danielle McKenna, expressed her distress on the now-deleted fundraising page. She revealed that she had not seen her daughter since October and emphasized that Mia had “never done a bad thing in her life” before this incident. Danielle stated, “This is a young girl who went to university to do law and got mixed up in the wrong so-called friends and made a very stupid mistake.”

Details surrounding Mia’s conviction remain unclear. The justice system in the UAE imposes life sentences ranging from 15 to 25 years for various offenses, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

According to Danielle, the funds raised were intended to cover legal fees, travel expenses, and family visits to Mia in prison. She described the ordeal as a “massive shock,” adding that, “Mia has been given a life sentence over in Dubai and she is now in central prison.”

The fundraising page aimed to collect £1,600 but had raised just under £700 before its removal. A spokesperson for GoFundMe informed The Sun that the page was deleted due to violations of Term 9 in their Terms of Service, which prohibits fundraising for the legal defense of certain alleged crimes. This includes financial and violent crimes such as money laundering, murder, and drug trafficking.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises British visitors to adhere strictly to UAE laws, highlighting that drug-related offenses are particularly severe. While it is not confirmed whether Mia’s conviction involved such charges, the FCDO warns that penalties can include long prison sentences and, in severe cases, the death penalty.

Danielle’s plea on the fundraising page resonated with many, as she stated, “If you can donate anything you can spare, even if it’s a £1, it could help us massively and I would be forever grateful.”

As the family navigates this challenging situation, the FCDO has confirmed that they are providing support to Mia’s family and maintaining communication with local authorities. The case raises broader questions about the complexities of legal systems in foreign countries and the implications for individuals who find themselves entangled in such issues.