UK student gets life in prison after UAE says he is a spy
Matthew Hedges was arrested in Dubai in May after spending two weeks in the UAE studying some of the effects of the Arab Spring uprisings, according to his wife, Daniela Tejada
Dubai — A British student has been sentenced to life in prison in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on charges of spying for the UK, a family spokesperson said on Wednesday. University of Durham doctoral student Matthew Hedges had been charged with espionage and jeopardising the Gulf state’s military, security and economy, according to earlier statements by the UAE’s attorney general. Hedges was arrested at Dubai’s airport on May 5 after spending two weeks in the UAE studying the effect of the Arab Spring uprisings on the country’s foreign policy and security strategy, according to his wife, Daniela Tejada. The UAE government hasn’t yet commented on the verdict. But the court ruling in Abu Dhabi drew swift condemnation from the UK, with Prime Minister Theresa May expressing her deep concern and disappointment and vowing to take the case to the highest levels. British foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt said the ruling “runs contrary to earlier assurances”. Hunt visited Abu Dhabi on November ...
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