British TikTok star (23) faces death penalty for murder in Dubai

©Paolo Resteghini via Unsplash

A 23-year-old British TikTok influencer from Kent faces the death penalty in Dubai after being charged with the death of her boyfriend. According to the human rights organization Detained in Dubai, Brooke George was arrested on June 22 and charged with premeditated murder after the man she was in a relationship with was stabbed to death.

George says she acted in self-defense. According to her statement, she grabbed a kitchen knife to protect herself during a violent attack. Detained in Dubai wants the case to be treated as a case of domestic violence, not murder.

The organization states that the relationship deteriorated rapidly and that George’s partner became increasingly controlling and aggressive. Her mother says that after a visit to Dubai, her daughter was clearly distraught, behaved anxiously, and cried profusely following the incident.

The case has also sparked criticism of the treatment of female suspects in the United Arab Emirates. According to Detained in Dubai, George was denied access to her embassy and was forced to give statements without a lawyer. Detained in Dubai also states that George was treated in a humiliating manner at the Bur Dubai Police Station and was forced to stand naked in front of male police officers without a female officer present. The organization calls this deeply hurtful and alarming.

The British Foreign Office says it is involved in the case and is supporting the family.

©Paolo Resteghini via Unsplash - illustrative image