Update issued on condition of Brit, 23, facing death by firing squad in Dubai
An influencer facing death by firing squad in Dubai for allegedly murdering a man is said to be 'struggling' in prison.
Brooke George, 23, was arrested on June 22 in Dubai and charged with murder in relation to the death of 26-year-old British man William Treeby.
If found guilty, she could be sentenced to death.
George, from Gravesend, Kent, and campaign workers have claimed she acted in self-defence after being attacked by Treeby in his apartment.
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A month on from her arrest, there has been little progress in her case and George is said to be finding life difficult inside the Bur Dubai Police Station.
Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, told LADbible: "It’s moving quite slowly and Brooke is struggling."
There has yet to be an update on the legal proceedings.
It was also explained that George, who has more than 100,000 followers on TikTok, is finding it hard being away from her friends and family.
"She’s used to having company and is feeling the effects of isolation," Stirling added.
LADbible Group has approached Dubai Police's General Department of Criminal Investigation and the Dubai embassy in Britain for comment.
George claims she was acting in self defence
George and Treeby reportedly met online and developed a relationship, with George flying out to meet him in Dubai in an experience she described as 'the time of my life.'
However, things reportedly turned dark on her second visit when, George alleges, Treeby began exhibiting controlling and abusive behaviour and only booked her a one-way ticket.
After being allegedly assaulted by Treeby in a car following a night out in Jumeirah Village, Brooke arranged a return flight with the help of friends but had to return to his apartment to get her passport.
It's claimed she found her belongings thrown on the floor and was crying as she pleaded for her passport from Treeby when he allegedly punched her hard in the face.
Fearing for her life and, claiming to be acting in self-defence, George reached for a close-by kitchen knife.
She was arrested in the early hours of June 22 and charged with murder.
Given her injuries, Detained in Dubai urged UAE authorities to investigate all of Brooke's allegations 'with the same seriousness as the allegations against her,' including examining Treeby and any assoiciates' digital communications to discover if George was targeted for exploitation.
"Rather than treating Brooke solely as a murder suspect, investigators must also examine her being the victim of serious violence and possible exploitation," Stirling said in a statement.
“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.
"Brooke reported seeing disturbing videos on his computer and being assaulted by him before the fatal incident."
George called home 'terrified'
Detained in Dubai also called for George to be released on bail pending the outcome of an investigation, but she remains behind bars.
They claimed George received little explanation of the proceedings due to the language barrier immediately following her arrest, as well as being deprived of access to her embassy and being forced to make statements without a lawyer.
The campaigners went on to reveal three other people had been present in Treeby's apartment on the night of his death, two friends and a maid.
According to The Sun, one of the friends made a phone call to the UK after he died.
Detained in Dubai submitted this information to authorities as they felt it was crucial evidence and want ''every available investigative and forensic avenue pursued."
"Where a young British citizen is facing the possibility of the death penalty overseas, there must be a diligent, impartial and comprehensive investigation, with every reasonable effort made to identify, preserve and examine relevant evidence," Stirling told the outlet.
Speaking to The Sun, George's mother, Tess, revealed her daughter was 'absolutely terrified' when she called her hours before the incident.
Tess said: “She was petrified. Absolutely terrified. She said, ‘Mum, I just want to come home. I’m scared.’
“That’s all she said, over and over and over again.”
Treeby's father, Jack Treeby, was killed in a deliberate hit-and-run attack in 2009 by members of his family, Kent Online reports.
Jack’s brother, Bill Treeby, 50, and his nephews, Billy, 30, and George, 23, were found guilty of murdering him after a trial in 2010.
Bill's wife Charity, 51, was cleared of murder and a secondary charge of manslaughter.
The death penalty for murder in UAE explained
The maximum sentence for premeditated murder in UAE is either life imprisonment or execution by firing squad.
The death penalty can also be applied to crimes of espionage, treason, perjury and drug trafficking in the country. However, it is rarely carried out.
Under Islamic law, the victim's family can request the death penalty if it's proven the murder was planned, or related to another crime.
Alternatively, the family can waive their right to the death penalty, and the accused will serve a minimum of seven years in prison.
The victim's family can also demand blood money, or diya, instead of a death sentence.
Daniel Murphy