Overview
- Mia O’Brien, a 24-year-old British law student from Huyton, is reported to be back home for Christmas, with her mother posting a video titled “She’s Home.”
- UK outlets cite the family’s social media as the basis for reports of her release, and there is no independent confirmation from UAE judicial or prison authorities.
- Coverage conflicts on sentencing details, with some reports stating a 25-year term and others citing life imprisonment, alongside mention of a fine of about £100,000.
- She was arrested in Dubai in October 2024 after police reportedly found around 50g of cocaine during a flat raid, and was convicted on July 25 after pleading not guilty.
- Advocacy group Detained in Dubai has questioned the case’s evidentiary standards, while the UK Foreign Office reiterates the UAE’s zero‑tolerance drug laws and severe penalties.