Brooke George: United Arab Emirates murder charge puts British influencer at risk of death penalty in Dubai

Warning: Graphic content

A British influencer who travelled to Dubai after meeting a man online is facing the death penalty after being charged over his death, with advocates claiming she acted in self-defence following months of alleged abuse.

Brooke George, 23, from Kent, remains in custody in the United Arab Emirates after being accused of fatally stabbing her 26-year-old British boyfriend during an incident in Dubai last month.

If convicted of murder, she could face execution by firing squad under UAE law.

The case has sparked an international campaign led by a London-based advocacy group, Detained in Dubai, which is urging authorities to release Ms George on bail, calling for what it describes as a full and fair investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged killing.

According to the organisation, Ms George first travelled to Dubai earlier this year after meeting a British expatriate online, describing the trip to friends and family as the “time of my life”.

The group claims the relationship later became “controlling and abusive”, alleging Ms George returned to Dubai unaware of the situation she would ultimately find herself in.

Detained in Dubai alleges she reached for a kitchen knife while defending herself during a violent confrontation with her boyfriend.

“A bruised and battered Brooke was arrested in the early hours of the 22nd of June 2026, and has been charged with murder despite the circumstances having not been thoroughly investigated,” the organisation said in a statement.

Chief executive Radha Stirling said Ms George had consistently maintained she acted to protect herself.

“Brooke maintains that she acted only after being subjected to a violent assault and in genuine fear for her safety,” Ms Stirling said.

She also alleged those close to Ms George had become increasingly worried during her second visit to Dubai.

“Their concerns were fuelled by his unexplained change in behaviour, the one-way ticket, the bikini-clad professional photo shoot arranged during her first visit, the alleged withholding of her passport, Brooke telling friends that ‘things weren’t right’, and her growing fear that she needed to escape. Brooke reported seeing disturbing videos on his computer and being assaulted by him before the fatal incident,” Ms Stirling claimed.

Detained in Dubai has further alleged Ms George was forced to remove her clothing in front of male officers while being held at Bur Dubai Police Station, describing the experience as “deeply humiliating and distressing”.

Her mother, Thereza George, said he daughter appeared frightened before the incident and had been desperately trying to return home.

“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,” she said.

“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.”

British authorities are understood to be providing consular assistance to Ms George’s family while working with authorities in the UAE.

Before her arrest, the 23-year-old regularly documented her travels and lifestyle on social media, where she has more than 100,000 TikTok followers and 10,000 Instagram followers.

Just weeks before the incident, she shared photographs from Dubai alongside the caption: “God has a plan. Trust it, Live it, Enjoy it.”

The case has since attracted intense attention online, with supporters rallying behind Ms George while she remains in custody awaiting the outcome of the investigation.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.