British ‘spy’ student finally in court after 5 months’ solitary

A BRITISH academic accused of spying in Dubai has appeared in court after five months in solitary confinement.

Matthew Hedges, a PhD student at Durham University, was arrested at the airport on May 5 after a research trip in the United Arab Emirates.

In a short hearing at Abu Dhabi’s Federal Court of Appeal a lawyer for Mr Hedges, 31, requested an adjournment for the ‘INNOCENT’ Matthew Hedges, 31 judge to re-examine the evidence against him before delivering his verdict. The next hearing is on November 21. Mr Hedges denies spying for the UK. His wife Daniela Tejada maintains he was conducting legitimate interviews on how the Arab Spring affected foreign policy in the UAE. She said: “Matt is innocent. The evidence will show this.” His family have been allowed two visits since he was detained “with no explanation”.