Mum of UK woman facing death by firing squad in Dubai breaks silence

The mother of a 23-year-old British TikTok influencer accused of killing her boyfriend - who has been named as 26-year-old fellow Brit Bill Treeby - has spoken out, saying her daughter is "terrified" and "vulnerable". Campaign group Detained in Dubai revealed early last that week it was assisting Brooke George, from Gravesend, Kent, who alleges she stabbed her partner in self-defence after she was “repeatedly punched” and “feared for her life”.

Mr Treeby hadn't been identified in the press at that stage. Ms George, a former John Lewis worker, met him on Facebook and travelled to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after developing a relationship online, the campaign group said. It added that after a positive first visit, Ms George alleged he became “increasingly controlling and abusive” during a second trip. After an evening at McCafferty’s Irish Bar in Jumeirah Village, Dubai, she alleged he became intoxicated and assaulted her. According to her family, Ms George contacted them in a state of panic after being “repeatedly punched” and had arranged a flight home before returning to the apartment to recover her passport, Detained in Dubai said.

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The group said her family alleged she was “crying and begging for her passport’s return when she was punched hard in the face and attacked”, adding: “Brooke says she feared for her life and, reaching for a kitchen knife within her grasp, acted in self-defence.”

Detained in Dubai said a “bruised and battered Brooke” was arrested in the early hours of Monday (June 22). According to The Sun she is now facing a possible murder charge. Detained in Dubai said Ms George faces being executed by firing squad if found guilty.

The organisation claimed Ms George has received “little explanation of the proceedings due to the language barrier”, as well as being “deprived of access to her embassy and forced to make statements in the absence of a lawyer”.

Ms George's mum Tess, 55, told The Sun that the family has instructed lawyers in Dubai, and are attempting to raise money for the costs.

She said she had decided to speak out because she feared her daughter couldn't tell her own story as she languishes in jail.

"She doesn't speak Arabic, doesn't know what has been said, what she signed. She has no clue," she told the newspaper.

"They won't tell her, they won't converse with her, or even ask her about her safeguarding issues," she claimed. Tess added that her daughter is terrified, vulnerable and "doesn't know what to do".

In a statement, released last week through Detained in Dubai, Tess said: “After Brooke returned to Dubai for the second time, the dynamic between them had clearly changed.

“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. 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.

“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.”

Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, said that “rather than treating Brooke solely as a murder suspect, investigators must also examine her being the victim of serious violence and possible exploitation”.

Ms Stirling added: “We will be working to ensure that her rights are protected, that she receives a fair trial, and that the circumstances leading to this tragedy are fully and impartially examined.

“Those closest to Brooke became increasingly concerned that she may have been lured to Dubai under false pretences for the purpose of exploitation.

“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.

“We are calling for Brooke to be released on bail pending the outcome of the investigation. She should be afforded protection, appropriate medical care, legal representation and immediate British consular assistance while the investigation proceeds.”

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “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.”

The Dubai Government Media Office has been approached for comment via email.

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