British woman facing death by firing squad for murdering boyfriend | UK | News

A 23-year-old social media influencer faces execution by firing squad in Dubai after being accused of murdering her boyfriend, a campaign group has said. TikTok star Brooke George, from Gravesend, Kent, stabbed her 26-year-old British partner in self-defense after he was “repeatedly punched” and “feared for his life”, according to those detained in Dubai.

The campaign group said George, a former John Lewis employee, met his partner on Facebook and traveled to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after developing an online relationship with her. The report stated that after a positive first visit, 23-year-old George claimed his partner had become “increasingly controlling and abusive” during the second trip. After an evening out at McCafferty’s Irish Bar in Dubai’s Jumeirah Village, George claimed his partner got drunk and attacked him.

Those detained in Dubai said George contacted them in a panic after being “repeatedly punched” and arranged a flight home before returning to his flat to get his passport back, according to his family.

The group said her family claimed she “cryed and begged for the return of her passport when she was punched hard in the face and attacked,” adding: “Brooke said she feared for her life and acted in self-defense by reaching for the kitchen knife in her hand.”

He said Brooke, who was detained in Dubai and “bruised and battered”, was arrested in the early hours of Monday and charged with murder “although the circumstances have not been fully investigated”.

It was stated that George, who was detained in Dubai, “was given little explanation of the proceedings due to the language barrier”, and was also “deprived of access to his embassy and forced to give a statement in the absence of a lawyer”.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: “We are in contact with a British woman detained in the UAE, supporting her family and liaising with local authorities.”

The influencer’s mother, Thereza George, said she was “deeply concerned for his well-being.”

In a statement released via Detained in Dubai, he said: “The dynamic between them clearly changed after Brooke returned to Dubai for the second time.

“The day before the incident he didn’t seem like himself. He was quieter and not his usual happy, cheerful self but he didn’t tell me why. That evening they went to a bar in Dubai.

“When I spoke to Brooke immediately after the incident, she was terrified. I had never seen my daughter so scared in my life. She was crying uncontrollably. I could see one of her eyes was badly swollen and starting to close.

“The girl I spoke to that night was completely horrified. I firmly believe she was trying to get home and get away from what had happened to her.”

Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, said: “Rather than treating Brooke solely as a murder suspect, investigators should also examine whether she was the victim of serious violence and possible abuse.”

Ms Stirling added: “We will work to ensure that his rights are protected, that he receives a fair trial and that there is a full and impartial examination of the circumstances that led to this tragedy.

“Those closest to Brooke have become increasingly concerned that she may have been lured to Dubai under false pretenses for exploitation.

“The unexplained change in her behaviour, the one-way ticket, the professional bikini photo shoot held during her first visit, the alleged retention of her passport, Brooke telling her friends ‘things weren’t right’ and her growing fear that she needed to run away added to her concerns.

“We request that Brooke be released on bail until the investigation is concluded.

“He must be provided with protection, appropriate medical care, legal representation and immediate British consular assistance while the investigation continues.”