Influencer faces possible death penalty in Dubai after alleged fatal stabbing, claims 'self-defense'
TikTok influencer Brooke George is reportedly facing death by firing squad after being charged with the murder of her boyfriend, whom she claims she stabbed in self-defense.
Advocacy group Detained in Dubai reported that 23-year-old Brooke, hailing from Kent, England, is in custody at Bur Dubai Police Station. This was after she was arrested early on June 22 while allegedly bearing visible bruises and injuries, and was charged with murder. They claimed the charge was filed before the circumstances surrounding the incident had been fully investigated.
According to reports, George traveled to Dubai to meet her boyfriend, whom she had met online. She described her first visit, during which she stayed for a week, as "the time of my life."
However, during her second visit to the city, her mother, Thereza, claimed Brooke's boyfriend became increasingly controlling and abusive. She alleged that he had booked only a one-way ticket for her.
“The day before the incident, she did not seem like herself. She was quieter and not her usual happy, cheerful self, but she did not tell me why," Thereza said, per the group.
According to Thereza, Brooke's boyfriend became intoxicated after they spent an evening at Caffreys Bar in Jumeirah Village and allegedly assaulted her in the car before continuing the attack at their apartment.
"That evening they went to a bar in Dubai. When I spoke to Brooke right after the incident, she was absolutely terrified. I have never seen my daughter so frightened in my life. She was crying uncontrollably. I could see that one of her eyes was badly swollen and was beginning to close," Thereza added.
According to her family, Brooke called them in a panic after allegedly being assaulted, and arranged a flight home with the help of friends. They said she returned to the apartment only to retrieve her passport, where she was allegedly attacked again. She claimed she feared for her life and acted in self-defense after grabbing a nearby kitchen knife.
“As Brooke's mother, I am deeply concerned for her welfare. The daughter I spoke to that night was utterly terrified. I firmly believe she was desperately trying to get home and away from whatever had happened to her," she continued.
According to her family, she fled the apartment in an attempt to escape and leave the United Arab Emirates, believing she needed to get away and return home. They said she was in a state of shock when authorities stopped her at the airport, where she was reportedly found with injuries to her face and body.
Detained in Dubai reported that George was forced to strip in front of male officers without a female officer present, and claimed she received little explanation of the proceedings due to language barriers, had been denied embassy access, and had made statements without legal counsel.
The group called on the UAE to grant Brooke bail and examine the deceased's digital devices and communications for evidence to determine whether she was targeted for exploitation and whether others may also have been victims.
“The authorities must investigate Brooke's allegations with the same seriousness as the allegation against her. Multiple witnesses observed visible injuries immediately after the incident. Rather than treating Brooke solely as a murder suspect, investigators must also examine her being the victim of serious violence and possible exploitation," Radha Stirling, CEO of the group, said in the statement.
"She should be afforded protection, appropriate medical care, legal representation and immediate British consular assistance while the investigation proceeds," she added.
For their part, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it is providing consular assistance, stating: "We are in touch with a British woman detained in the UAE, we are supporting her family, and we are in contact with the local authorities."
