“She can’t sleep. She can barely call home” - Brooke’s family fears for her mental health as Dubai death penalty trial is delayed
British woman remains in notorious Bur Dubai police detention (where Lee Bradley Brown was brutally killed) until next hearing on 28 October, as her mother reports constant bright lights, interrupted calls and no promised sleep medication
Brooke George is facing the death penalty in a legal system that has been criticised by the English High Court and the United Nations for unfair trials, arbitrary detention, human rights violations and torture. As her trial continues, concerns are increasing over her treatment in a facility that was never intended for long term residency.
Brooke attended a court hearing in Arabic via video link on Wednesday where prosecution witnesses had been summoned to attend but inexplicably failed to do so. Brooke’s family fears her mental health is deteriorating after her Dubai trial was adjourned until 28 October 2026, leaving her facing further weeks in police station detention.
The court ordered her continued detention while it awaits evidence from the remaining witnesses. The Public Prosecution was directed to promptly implement the order.
Although Brooke’s lawyers remain positive, her family says the continuing detention is taking a devastating toll.
Her mother, Tess, reports that bright lights remain on in every room around the clock, leaving Brooke unable to sleep. Babies and children crying nearby further disrupt her rest. Medication Brooke was reportedly told she could receive to help her sleep has still not been provided.
Contact with home has also become increasingly difficult. Tess says recent calls were cut off after approximately two minutes, with no call back. Brooke has now been told she cannot make international calls.
“I’m getting very worried about her mental state,” Tess said.
Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, said:
“Brooke is suffering terribly. Her family describes a young woman who is increasingly upset, unable to sleep and struggling to maintain even the briefest contact with home. Her mother is left wondering how much worse things will become before she hears her daughter’s voice again.
“Two minutes on the telephone, followed by an abrupt disconnection, is distressing for everyone involved. For Brooke, those calls are a lifeline. For her family, they are the only opportunity to hear how she is coping and offer some reassurance.”
Stirling said the adjournment must not overshadow Brooke’s immediate welfare needs.
“Brooke remains in temporary police detention, with her family reporting constant bright lights, broken sleep and increasing distress. These facilities were never designed for long term habitation. British citizens who were locked up there for only hours during the Iran strikes were terrified at the thought of spending days there, let alone months”.
“She has been told she could receive medication to help her sleep, yet her mother says nothing has happened. These concerns need to be addressed now. Her health cannot be put on hold until the next court hearing.”
Detained in Dubai will seek urgent assistance over Brooke’s access to medical care, sleep medication where clinically appropriate, and reliable telephone contact with her family.
“We will do everything we can to help,” Stirling added. “Brooke needs to know she has not been forgotten. Her family needs to be able to speak to her, and her worsening distress needs proper medical attention. Whatever the allegations, she is entitled to humane treatment while her case is heard.”
