UAE: Briton on trial for spying has access to family, lawyer

Senior ministry official reviews Hedges’ welfare following speculation on his condition

Areview of the welfare of Briton Matthew Hedges, charged with spying in the UAE, was carried out by Mohammad Obaid Al Za’abi, director of the Department of Foreign Nationals Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, following media reports and speculation on his condition.

The review found that, since his arrest, Hedges has been provided with regular medical and psychological care. After his initial arrest and before trial proceedings, Hedges’ family members and embassy staff were given access to him on several occasions, in accordance with UAE laws and regulations.

After the completion of investigation and since the trial commenced, the conditions of Hedges’ remand have been reduced: He has the ongoing facility to contact family, embassy and consular staff and his legal counsel by phone.

Hedges has also been provided with books and reading material of his choice, and his lawyer and his immediate family can reach him, in keeping with the protocols of the trial process. Since the trial started, Hedges has been accommodated in a lower security remand centre.

The right to a fair trial is guaranteed under Article 94 of the UAE Constitution, which provides that an accused person shall be presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a fair trial. Articles 1 to 8 of Law No 3 of 26 May 1993 guarantee the independence of judges.

The treatment of Hedges is in keeping with international norms and his welfare has been taken care of throughout the process, the review found.