A Kent woman has been charged with murder after a man was found dead in Dubai.
Brooke George was arrested after the death of 26-year-old Bill Treeby in the Middle Eastern country.
The 23-year-old, from Gravesend, remains in custody at Bur Dubai Police Station and could face a firing squad if convicted.
George, who is an influencer on TikTok with more than 98,000 followers, claims she was repeatedly assaulted and acted in self-defence.
She first met Mr Treeby on Facebook and travelled to Dubai after developing an online relationship.
The former John Lewis shop worker says her first visit lasted about a week and described it as “the time of my life”.
During her time there, she had a professional photography shoot that the victim had arranged.
But during her second visit, George claims Mr Treeby became abusive and controlling, including only booking her a one-way ticket.
After a night out at Caffreys Bar in Jumeirah Village, he became intoxicated and assaulted her in the car before continuing the attack after they returned to the apartment, she alleges.
Her family says that Brooke contacted them in a state of panic after being repeatedly punched.
She arranged a flight home with help from friends and returned to the apartment to get her passport. What she found was her personal possessions sprawled over the apartment.
The family claims she was crying and begging for her passport’s return when she was punched hard in the face and attacked.
George says she feared for her life and, reaching for a kitchen knife within her grasp, acted in self-defence.
She was arrested on Monday, June 22, and charged with murder.
Her mum, Thereza George, says she is “deeply concerned for her welfare”.
She said: “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.
“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 family contacted human rights group Detained in Dubai, which is calling for George to be released on bail and a fair trial.
Radha Stirling, chief executive of the group, said: “This case raises serious concerns about violence against women, the right to self defence, due process and the treatment of British nationals detained overseas.
“Brooke maintains that she acted only after being subjected to a violent assault and in genuine fear for her safety.
“She should be treated not merely as an accused person, but as a presumed victim of violence whose allegations and documented injuries deserve proper investigation.
“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.
“We are calling for Brooke to be released on bail pending the outcome of the investigation.”
The UK embassy in Dubai says it is supporting the family.
