British student sentenced to 25 years in Dubai prison: what happened.

According to The Sun: In Dubai, strict drug laws have led to British law student Mia O'Brien being jailed with the possibility of receiving 25 years imprisonment.

It is known that last October she was detained with 50 grams of cocaine, whose value in Great Britain is approximately £2500. She is currently being held in Al-Awir prison, which is referred to as the 'Alcatraz of Dubai.'

GoFundMe

If Mia had been sentenced in Great Britain, she would be facing a term of about two years. However, in the United Arab Emirates, she could be punished with 25 years.

Strict laws in the UAE

This situation highlights that the rules in the UAE are significantly stricter, and the punishments are harsher.

Dubai is part of the UAE, which subscribes to a zero-tolerance policy towards drugs. The emirate has very stringent rules defined by Sharia law.

Even 0.01 grams of drugs can lead to criminal prosecution. A positive drug test can also be interpreted as possession, even if you do not have drugs on hand.

The minimum penalty for small quantities of drugs is three months of imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £20,000. However, the larger the quantity of drugs, the harsher the penalties, especially if the police suspect that you intended to deal them.

Authorities found 50 g of cocaine in her possession, according to her mother. Facebook

In Ukraine, similar crimes may be punished much more leniently. In Mia's case, she received a 25-year sentence for drugs with a street value in Great Britain of £2500.

Her family reached out for help this week, stating that she 'has never done anything wrong in her life' and made 'a very foolish mistake.'

British citizen Carl Williams compared Al-Awir prison to the 'Dubai version of Alcatraz' during his sentence. PA

Mia's 34-year-old mother, Daniel McKenna, shared additional information about her daughter's prison sentence. She confirmed that Mia was detained with cocaine last October and that a large amount of drugs was found in her apartment in 'one large piece.'

Trials are often conducted in Arabic, which complicates defense for tourists. Mistakes in the judicial process are difficult to contest.

The horrors of Al-Awir prison

Accusations of electric shock torture, cruel treatment, and inhumane prison conditions are not uncommon in Al-Awir.

This prison is considered one of the worst in the world, and the memories of former inmates speak of horrific treatment.

In 2012, Carl Williams, who spent a year in prison, recalled violence between inmates that continued unchecked by guards. He spoke of torture.

“They took off my pants, spread my legs, and started electrocuting me,” he recalled.

Mia O'Brien has become a symbol of the brutality of UAE drug laws. Her case brings attention to potentially harsh penalties for what may be viewed as a minor offense in other countries. Mia's family hopes for a fair trial; however, the uncertainty regarding their future remains a huge burden for them.