Mia O'Brien's 'living hell' sparks fears as little-known Dubai rules can lock Brits up for life

As Mia O'Brien languishes in aDubaijail dubbed the UAE's 'Alcatraz', other British tourists have been warned that they too could well be locked up for offences that would be considered "minor or non-existent" back in the UK.

The Liverpool University student is said to be enduring a "living hell" behind the bars of the infamous Al-Awir Central Prison, after being allegedly caught with 50 grams of cocaine in the Middle East. She has been sentenced to life and also has to pay an eyewatering £100,000 fine.

Her mother, Danielle McKenna,is desperately crowdfunding to bring her 23-year-old daughter home to Huyton, Merseyside. She has previously spoken of how Mia was convicted by a judge after a brief day-long hearing on July 25, adding that the "trial was all in Arabic".

It's understood that the aspiring lawyer, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges she faces, is scheduled to have an appeal heard within the coming weeks.

READ MORE: British 'drug mule's cryptic reason' for Dubai trip before being locked up in hellhole jail

In the meantime, Mia has been left to consider her grim fate, which could see her spend decades behind the walls of a filthy, overcrowded prison many miles from home.

Now an expert has advised those travelling to Dubai that they could well find themselves in a similar position, even if they had no clue whatsoever that they were breaking the law.

Speaking with the Mirror, James Pipe, Criminal Justice Contributor and Legal Expert from Free Grants For Felons, said: "Dubai's drug laws are among the harshest in the world. Unlike in the UK, simply having traces of drugs in your system – even if they were consumed legally in another country – can result in arrest and imprisonment.

"Each year, several British nationals are detained under these strict rules, often shocked to discover that what would be considered minor or non-existent offences at home carry severe penalties in the UAE.

"Compared to Western countries, there is little leniency or rehabilitation focus; the emphasis is on deterrence through strict punishment. The reality is that once caught, the legal process is rigid and outcomes can be severe, with long custodial sentences handed down even for small amounts."

The expert also shed some light on the "extremely tough" reality of Dubai prison life, which he says can be particularly difficult for women, like Mia, who have been convicted of drug-related offences.

And while all inmates suffer issues such as "overcrowding, limited personal freedom, and very basic living conditions", British nationals face a whole host of additional problems.

James revealed: "Challenges often include language barriers, lack of privacy, strict routines, and navigating a system that is very different from what British nationals are used to. Emotional isolation is also a huge factor – being so far from home and family support makes the experience much more difficult."

As explained by James, the significant language barrier is often compounded by "cultural and religious differences". Meanwhile, banged-up Brits likely won't even get the comfort of visits from faraway loved ones, no matter how much family members and friends may be fighting for them on the outside.

The expert told us: "Access to family visits is limited because of distance and cost, and foreign inmates may feel more isolated. They also often lack advocates within the system who understand their background or can push for better conditions."

Day-to-day, Mia can expect to endure a far more "regimented" life than she did as a free woman back in the UK, with her hours taken up by "early wake-ups, strict meal times, and work or chores assigned by prison staff."

It's a far cry from what she has previously known, and even though it's understood that she has been in communication with mum Danielle, she may not be permitted to speak as freely as she would like during such conversations.

James explained: "Contact with the outside world is heavily restricted and closely monitored. In terms of dangers, conflicts between inmates can arise, particularly when resources are stretched. The biggest risk is falling foul of rules or authority; punishments can be severe, so inmates need to be extremely careful to comply with regulations."

Although it's understood that Mia has launched an appeal, the next stages are complex, with the British national having plenty of hurdles ahead of her. According to James: "Inmates do have the right to appeal, but the process is complex, expensive, and heavily dependent on having the right legal representation.

"It is possible to file an appeal from inside prison, but communication barriers and restricted access to legal counsel make it difficult. Appeals can take months or even years to progress, and the chances of success are relatively slim compared to Western jurisdictions."

Considering the advice he would give to prisoners in Mia's harrowing situation, he urged: "The best advice is to keep a low profile, follow the rules carefully, and avoid confrontation with staff or fellow inmates.

"Building small support networks inside the prison can help, as can maintaining contact with family back home wherever possible. For anyone facing charges, securing strong local legal representation early is absolutely critical."

Meanwhile, another strict Dubai rule that has caught worldwide attention in recent months is the age of consent. Marcus Fakana, 19, from Tottenham in North London, was jailed in the United Arab Emirates last year after having sex with a 17-year-old Brit, who has since turned 18, while on holiday.

The teenager was on holiday with family in the UAE when he met the girl. While not conisdered a crime in the UK, under strict UAE law, only tourists aged over 18 are legally allowed to sleep together. Marcus was kept behind bars for months after he was arrested over the relationship by local police, who had been tipped off by the girl's mother.

In July, he returned home to the UK after a gruelling appeal. Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, an advocacy group that played a key role in getting Marcus returned home following his nearly year-long imprisonment, said he was an "extraordinary young man caught in a deeply unjust system".

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com

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