Matthew Hedges: British academic pardoned by UAE [Update Post #11]

[Abdullah719]

A British PhD student has been sentenced to life in prison having been found guilty of spying in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Matthew Hedges, 31, of Durham University, always denied the charge, claiming he had been researching the country's security strategy.

An Abu Dhabi court has said he is guilty of "spying for or on behalf of" the UK government.

The PM said the UK was urgently seeking talks with the Emirati government.

Theresa May said Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt was "seeking a call with Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed".

Mr Hunt said he was "deeply shocked and disappointed" by the verdict.

He has raised the case with the "highest levels of the UAE government" and the verdict "is not what we expect from a friend and trusted partner of the United Kingdom and runs contrary to earlier assurances".

In a statement, Hedges' family said during the first six weeks of his detention he was interrogated without a lawyer and consular access was unavailable.

They said during this time he was made to sign a document in Arabic which it transpired was a confession.

"Matthew does not speak or read Arabic," the family said.

Hedges' wife Daniela Tejada, who was present during the brief hearing earlier, said she was in "complete shock".

She said: "Matthew is innocent. The Foreign Office know this and have made it clear to the UAE authorities that Matthew is not a spy for them.

"This whole case has been handled appallingly from the very beginning with no-one taking Matthew's case seriously."

She said the British government "must take a stand now" and the UAE authorities "should feel ashamed for such an obvious injustice".

Ms Tejada said her husband shook his head as the verdict was delivered, adding: "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."

At prime minister's questions, Tory MP Crispin Blunt told Mrs May she should make clear to the UAE that "if he is not released, I don't see why we should be committed to their defence".

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46288510

 

[DeadBall]

Personally know of dozens of such cases (Mostly SC or from third world countries) or even worse where people are given even harsher sentences for crimes such as public flatulence in front of an Emarati woman (4 years), public urination, actually the guy passed out from the heat and relieved himself (4 years) etc etc, most aren't actually sentenced for so long but are lost in the system that luckily when their times comes after a few years then they are released only to not have a valid visa anymore and then they remain in prison for a few more months till they are deported.

At least the guys story has come to light and he might even get some respite because he's from the UK.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Personally know of dozens of such cases (Mostly SC or from third world countries) or even worse where people are given even harsher sentences for crimes such as public flatulence in front of an Emarati woman (4 years), public urination, actually the guy passed out from the heat and relieved himself (4 years) etc etc, most aren't actually sentenced for so long but are lost in the system that luckily when their times comes after a few years then they are released only to not have a valid visa anymore and then they remain in prison for a few more months till they are deported.

At least the guys story has come to light and he might even get some respite because he's from the UK.

Are you suggesting he is innocent? Brits go to Dubai for sun, sea, sand and parties not to detail the nations security.

 

[DeadBall]

Are you suggesting he is innocent? Brits go to Dubai for sun, sea, sand and parties not to detail the nations security.

I am suggesting that the whole law and justice system is a farce and one cannot expect a fair, transparent, half decent trial or even basic human rights. Unless one is very rich, well connected or has a strong consulate to back them up, even then it takes a lot of arm twisting.

 

[KingKhanWC]

I am suggesting that the whole law and justice system is a farce and one cannot expect a fair, transparent, half decent trial or even basic human rights. Unless one is very rich, well connected or has a strong consulate to back them up, even then it takes a lot of arm twisting.

Many Brits have been freed or released once the British government involved itself, lets see how this plays out.

 

[gazza619]

Britain under Theresa May has become a laughing stock

 

[DeadBall]

Britain under Theresa May has become a laughing stock

It's not about May, there were many Britons who were wrongfully imprisoned before her also.

Here's an example

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/...the-worst-mistake-of-their-lives-8746032.html

but you can find much more ridiculous ones, with charges like accidentally brushing the hips of another man, etc. And this is just Britons, the cases other third world nationalities have to face jail, torture, abuse are even more absurd.

 

[LongHorn]

One not uncommon thing is if you do not "obey" the orders of someone with "influence", he can accuse you of either cursing or flipping a finger.

Once that happens, you will be locked up and LE will not listen to you.

If you do not allow someone to overtake, they may accuse you of that

Or not give up a chair in a public space .....

rare stuff but happens which is why expats know never to take "panga", no mater how small an issue

 

[LongHorn]

Personally know of dozens of such cases (Mostly SC or from third world countries) .

You have my respect

Half the desis I know who lived in the Gulf develop a Stockholm syndrome, and support each and every transgression there, call it heaven on earth, keep chanting about how Gulf is only region with perfect justice system, unlike the "bad West" (though most of them migrate to Canada).
They follow the adage of "if it didn't happen to me, I refuse it can happen to anyone else"

 

[Markhor]

What wonderful allies.

Let's also not forget the UAE are also complicit in the Saudi campaign in Yemen.

 

[Abdullah719]

Matthew Hedges: British academic pardoned by UAE

A British academic who was jailed for spying in the United Arab Emirates has been pardoned.

Matthew Hedges, 31, denied spying and said he had been researching his PhD.

His wife, Daniela Tejada, who appealed for clemency, said she was "elated" and "can't wait to have him back home".

The UAE issued the pardon as part of a series of orders on the country's National Day anniversary. However, a spokesman said Mr Hedges was "100% a secret service operative".

During a news conference, a video was shown of a purported confession from Mr Hedges, saying he was a member of MI6.

This accusation was rejected by Ms Tejada, who told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's taken me by surprise and I'm just so happy and so relieved and really incredulous that it is all happening finally.

"It's been an absolutely nightmarish seven months already and I can't wait to have him back home."

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said Mr Hedges could be released "very soon", adding the UK government had "never seen any evidence" the spying charges were true.

He also praised Ms Tejada, describing her as a "determined lady" who had "fought incredibly hard and been to hell and back".

Prosecutors said Mr Hedges had admitted the charges in an Abu Dhabi court, which found him guilty of "spying for or on behalf of" the UK government, and was jailed for life last week.

Mr Hedges had always said he was innocent, and had been researching the country's security strategy as part of his PhD studies at Durham University.

Mr Hunt tweeted: "Fantastic news about Matthew Hedges.

"Although we didn't agree with charges we are grateful to UAE government for resolving issue speedily."

Mr Hedges, who lives in Exeter, was arrested at Dubai Airport in May.

His family said that during the first six weeks of his detention he had been interrogated without a lawyer and consular access was unavailable.

Despite not speaking Arabic, he was made to sign a document which transpired to be a confession, they added.

Ms Tejada said her husband had been left "absolutely terrified" by the prospect of serving a life sentence in the UAE and suffered panic attacks.

Mr Hedges will be released as soon as "all formalities" are complete, according to the UAE.

A spokesman for the UAE government, Jabel Al Lamki, claimed Mr Hedges had been "using two different identities to gather information from his targets".

He added: "In one he was Matthew Hedges the PhD researcher, in another one he was Matthew Hedges the businessman, he was part-time PhD researcher, and part-time businessman, but he was 100% a secret service operative."

Mr Al Lamki said a request for clemency from Mr Hedges' family had been granted "in consideration of the historical relationship and close ties between the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom".

Durham University's vice-chancellor, Prof Stuart Corbridge, said: "We are absolutely delighted to learn the news of Matt's impending release.

"It is paramount that he is now allowed to return home to Daniela and his family as quickly and safely as possible.

"We will continue to offer Matt's family our full support in the aftermath of this traumatic ordeal and we will be thrilled to welcome him back to the Durham University community."

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-46341310

 

[shaaik]

Pardoned for spying , this has to be one of its kind.