A BRIT yoga teacher who swapped the UK for sun-soaked Dubai is facing life in prison over alleged possession of drugs – as the holiday hotspot is blitzed by Iranian strikes.
Antonia Bettridge, 25, moved to the Gulf state in 2023 for a fresh start of criminal cash in her glove box in the UK.
Antonia Bettridge, 25, has been detained in DubaiCredit: Facebook
The yoga teacher faces life in prison on drug chargesCredit: Facebook
Antonia moved to the Gulf state in 2023Credit: Facebook
But her fairytale move has been cut short after she was detained under the United Arab Emirate’s strict drug laws while the country has been subjected to a ruthless bombing campaign.
Tensions in the Middle East show no sign of slowing and expats are scrambling for the exit doors.
Antonia has been detained under suspicion of possession of drugs with intent to promote.
If convicted, she faces a whopping AED 200,000 fine, around £41,000, and life in .
Campaign group Detained in says authorities do not need to prove intent to promote or distribute.
Antonia’s mum, who has not been named, says the family are baffled by how the fitness fanatic ended up in a cell.
She said: “Antonia’s whole life revolves around fitness and healthy living.
“She doesn’t live a party lifestyle. She moved to Dubai to build something positive for herself.
“We are devastated and just want clarity about what has happened.”
Her loved ones say the nightmare has been made worse by rising instability across the Gulf.
The iconic Burj al Arab hotel was filmed burning at the base after it was hit in an aerial assault at the weekend.
Fighter jets now patrol the skies over the city’s beaches amid fears of Iranian and missiles.
Earlier today, the United Arab Emirates’ defence ministry says its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed multiple aerial threats today though one ballistic missile and six drones still hit the country.
Attacks on the city have resulted in three deaths – all of whom are foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh – and 94 others have been wounded since the strikes began.
“With everything happening in the region at the moment, it is incredibly frightening knowing our daughter is in detention and we cannot reach her,” her mum said.
Antonia previously worked as a sports coach before becoming a personal trainerCredit: Facebook
She had been planning to make Dubai her long-term homeCredit: Facebook
“We are worried sick. We just want her to be safe and to have the opportunity to prepare her defence properly.”
Antonia previously worked as a sports coach before moving into real estate and training as a personal trainer.
Friends describe her as disciplined, -focused and devoted to yoga, fitness and organic nutrition.
She had been planning to launch her own and make Dubai her long-term home.
Now her family is hellbent on getting her a fair hearing.
Her mother added: “We just want her to have the chance to defend herself properly.
“She is 25 years old. Her whole future is at stake.”
Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, says the wider crisis has piled on the pressure for families with relatives behind bars in the .
She said: “When there is regional instability or security incidents, families naturally become even more concerned about loved ones who are already in a vulnerable situation.
“It reinforces why allowing defendants to prepare their cases from outside detention, where appropriate, is so important.
“We hope the FCDO supports her application for bail pending any trial at the very least.”
The Foreign, & Development Office said: “We are supporting a British woman detained in the UAE and are in contact with the local authorities.”
British expats in Dubai have been urged to stay alert as the stand off between and the and its allies sparks airspace closures and flight chaos across the region.
Thousands stranded in the Middle East are due to fly home this week as airlines ramp up services, but cancellations are still hitting departures from the UAE.
Officials have told those in the UAE to avoid security and military sites, follow local advice and keep up to date with the latest developments.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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