She had been sentenced to 25 years for alleged drug possession after police claimed they found 50 g of cocaine at a party in October 2024. The one-day trial was held entirely in Arabic; Mia pleaded not guilty, but was convicted and also fined £100,000 .
According to campaign group Detained in Dubai, the case was marked by “deeply unfair” proceedings, including circumstantial evidence and no proper due process .
Mia spent her detention in Al-Awir Central Prison, sleeping on a floor mattress in a crowded cell, before her sudden release. The UK Foreign Office says it remains in contact with the family, but how or why she was freed has not been disclosed .
Her mother announced the news on Facebook:
“She’s coming home, she’s coming home, my baby is coming home”