UK student jailed for life after UAE 5-minute spy trial
UAE
A British academic was yesterday sentenced to life in prison by a court in Abu Dhabi for allegedly spying for the UK Government, in a shock decision that Jeremy Hunt, the British Foreign Secretary, warned would have serious diplomatic repercussions.
Matthew Hedges, 31, who was studying for a PHD at Durham University, was arrested at Dubai airport on May 5 after a research trip and later accused of espionage.
A representative for his family said his lawyer was not in court yesterday to represent him and the trial lasted just five minutes. Daniela Tejada, Hedges’ wife, said that her husband was unable to speak Arabic so could not consult properly with his legal team in proceedings.
Tejada, who was present in the courtroom, said yesterday that she was in ‘‘complete shock’’ and maintained Hedge’s innocence.
‘‘I don’t know what to do. Matthew is innocent,’’ she said. ‘‘The Foreign Office knows this and have made it clear to the UAE authorities that Matthew is not a spy for them. This has been the worst six months of my life – let alone for Matt, who was shaking when he heard the verdict. The UAE authorities should feel ashamed for such an obvious injustice. I am very scared for Matt. I don’t know where they are taking him or what will happen now.’’
The family had been hopeful after Hedges, who was kept in solitary confinement for his first five months, was bailed on October 29 and given an ankle bracelet to monitor his movements.
Following the court’s decision, Hunt, who had travelled to the UAE to make representations on Hedges’s behalf, issued a strongly worded statement saying he was ‘‘deeply shocked and disappointed’’.
‘‘Today’s verdict is not what we expect from a friend and trusted partner of the UK and runs contrary to earlier assurances,’’ he said. ‘‘I have repeatedly made clear that the handling of this case by the UAE authorities will have repercussions for the relationship between our two countries, which has to be built on trust. There will be serious diplomatic consequences.’’
Crispin Blunt, a former chairman of the foreign affairs select committee, said: ‘‘If he’s not released, I don’t see why we should be committed to their defence.’’
Hedges, who is originally from Exeter, was in the UAE researching the impact of the Arab Spring on the country’s foreign policy and security strategy. It is understood he was reported to authorities by one of his interviewees.
Hedge’s case is unprecedented and one that has been greeted with consternation by the UK government, which had been keen to build on its UAE trade partnership after Brexit.
The two countries are allied in the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen and in the fight against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, and share considerable intelligence.
The sentence will also be concerning for British and other foreign academics working in the UAE.
More than 200 professors from institutions around the world had called for his release, saying the charges against him put into question academic ties between London and Abu Dhabi.
A number of universities have opened campuses in Dubai in recent years, including Middlesex, Heriot-watt and Bolton. Earlier this year Birmingham University opened a campus in Dubai and Stirling University opened one in Ras Al Khaimah.
‘‘Since legitimate academic activity is clearly impossible in the UAE, I assume all the Western universities with branches there will be pulling out?’’ said David Wearing, a teaching fellow in international relations and a Middle East specialist at Royal Holloway.
Colombian-born Tejada, 27, said her husband suffered from suicidal thoughts in prison, where conditions were ‘‘inhuman’’.
Hedges now has 30 days to appeal against the verdict.