An online fundraising appeal for a British woman jailed for life in Dubai has been taken down for violating the site’s guidelines.
Mia O’Brien, 23, from Huyton, Liverpool, made a ‘very stupid mistake’ and is now being held in the city’s central prison, her mother revealed.
Danielle McKenna, 46, launched a heartfelt plea on GoFundMe for help with travel and legal fees to support her daughter.
‘Mia has been given a life sentence over in Dubai and she is now in central prison,’ she wrote in the post.
‘As you can all probably imagine, as her mother I am absolutely devastated. 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. 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.
‘So all I ask is if you can donate anything you can spare, even if it’s a £1, it could help up massively and I would be forever grateful. Thank you so much.’
However, the GoFundMe page has now disappeared – with a spokesperson for the fundraising site saying it had been removed for ‘violating their guidelines’.
Mia O’Brien, 23, from Huyton, Liverpool, made a ‘very stupid mistake’ and has been given a life sentence in Dubai
Ms O’Brien is being held in the city’s central prison. Her mother set up a GoFundMe page to support her
It’s not known what Ms O’Brien has been convicted of, but life sentences in Dubai can be given in cases of drug trafficking, depending on the circumstances and the amount of drugs
They told The Sun: ‘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.’
Ms McKenna previously told the Daily Mail: ‘She’s going through it at the minute. She’s just been transferred to another prison after getting a life sentence.
‘It’s been a massive shock.’
It’s not known what crime Ms O’Brien has been convicted of, but life sentences in the United Arab Emirates can be given in cases of drug trafficking, depending on the circumstances and the amount of drugs.
Other crimes attracting life terms – which in Dubai is usually around 15 years – include serious violence and terrorism.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office starkly warns visitors to Dubai on its website: ‘There is zero tolerance for drugs-related offences.
‘The penalties for trafficking, smuggling, using and possessing illegal drugs (including residual amounts) are severe.
Ms O’Brien’s mother, Danielle McKenna (right) appealed for help and launched a fundraising page in her daughter’s name
Other crimes attracting life terms – which in Dubai is usually around 15 years – include serious violence and terrorism. Pictured: Ms O’Brien
Ms O’Brien ‘made a very stupid mistake’, according to her mother who launched the GoFundMe page
‘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 (£4,000) and 100,000 UAE dirham (£20,000).
‘The Emirati authorities count the presence of drugs in the blood stream as possession.
‘Some ‘herbal highs’ and products containing cannabidiol (CBD) are illegal in the UAE.
‘Possessing, concealing or making transactions with money from drugs-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 said: ‘We are supporting the family of a British woman detained in the UAE and are in contact with the local authorities.’
As of yesterday, the fundraising page, which had a target of £1,600, had raised just short of £700.
