A court in the United Arab Emirates has sentenced British student Matthew Hedges to life in jail following his conviction of spying. A A 31 year old PhD student, Hedges was researching the UAE's foreign and internal security policies after the Arab Spring revolutions of 2011 when he found himself detained at Dubai airport on May 5. While he was granted temporary release on October 29, he was constantly monitored until the recent-most court hearing.
Hedges' wife Daniela Tejada, who had vigorously campaigned for his release, had said last month that she could not allow herself to get too excited by his bail until he was fully free. She had even previously expressed concern for his safety, stating he was being held in solitary confinement at an undisclosed location with limited access to the British consulate and his family. Tejada, who was in court, said she was in “complete shock.” “Matthew is innocent,” she said. “The Foreign Office know this and have made it clear to the UAE authorities that Matthew is not a spy for them.”
She urged the British government to make a stand for him. She said, “I am very scared for Matt. I don’t know where they are taking him or what will happen now. Our nightmare has gotten even worse.” UAE attorney general Hamad al-Shamsi has said Hedges was accused of “spying for a foreign country, jeopardising the military, political and economic security of the state.”
Prime Minister Theresa May told lawmakers: “We are deeply disappointed and concerned at today’s verdict. ... We are raising it with the Emirati authorities at the highest level.” British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was “deeply shocked and disappointed” by the decision of the UAE court. He said, “Today's verdict is not what we expect from a friend and truster partner of the United Kingdom and runs contrary to earlier assurances.” A family spokesperson of Hedges confirmed the news while speaking with the press. They said, “We can confirm that he was sentenced to life in prison. The hearing lasted less than five minutes, and his lawyer was not present.”
