GoFundMe Campaign for British Woman Jailed in Dubai Removed
A GoFundMe campaign raising funds for the legal support of Mia O’Brien, a 23-year-old British woman sentenced to life in prison in Dubai, has been taken down by the platform for violating its terms of service. The fundraiser, launched by O’Brien’s mother, Danielle McKenna, of Huyton, Liverpool, had amassed nearly £700 of its £1,600 goal before its removal.
GoFundMe stated the campaign breached Term 9 of its Prohibited Conduct section, which prohibits fundraising for the “legal defense of certain alleged crimes.”
McKenna wrote on the now-deleted page that her daughter, a former law student, “made a very stupid mistake” and is currently held in Dubai’s central prison. “Mia has been given a life sentence over in Dubai and she is now in central prison,” she stated.”As her mother I am absolutely devastated. I haven’t seen my daughter as last October.”
McKenna had indicated the funds would be used for legal fees, to send money to O’Brien, and potentially to facilitate family visits to Dubai, as no family member has seen her since October.
The specific crime for which O’Brien was convicted remains undisclosed. However, life sentences in the United Arab emirates are commonly issued for offenses including drug trafficking and possession, murder, attempted murder, and human trafficking. The FCDO warns of a “zero tolerance” policy for drug-related offenses in Dubai, with “severe” penalties for even possessing residual amounts.
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Growth Office (FCDO) confirmed they are “supporting the family of a British woman detained in the UAE and are in contact with the local authorities.”
