«Breaking News» Wife of British academic jailed for life for 'spying' in UAE insists he is innocent

The wife of a British academic jailed for life for 'spying' in the United Arab Emirates has said she is 'in complete shock' - and insists he is innocent. 

Matthew Hedges, a specialist in Middle Eastern studies at Durham University, appeared in court in Abu Dhabi today for a hearing 'lasting less than five minutes' - six months after his arrest in Dubai Airport.

His wife, Daniela Tejada, who attended the short hearing today said their 'nightmare has gotten even worse' and said she is 'very scared for Matt'.

It comes just weeks after 31-year-old Mr Hedges said being held in solitary confinement in the UAE had left him suicidal. 

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said this morning he was 'deeply shocked' by the life sentence, which carries a maximum term of 25 years, and warned of 'repercussions'. Prime Minister Theresa May vowed to raise it with authorities at the 'highest level'.

A court in the United Arab Emirates has sentenced British academic Matthew Hedges (pictured with his wife Daniela Tejada) to life in prison after he was accused of spying

Matthew Hedges (pictured with wife Daniela Tejada), a specialist in Middle Eastern studies at Durham University, appeared in court in Abu Dhabi today - six months after his arrest in Dubai Airport

Yesterday, Mr Hedges' wife, Daniela Tejada, who attended the hearing posted on Twitter: 'Tomorrow, Nov 21, Matt will be appearing in court in Abu Dhabi. Hoping that justic will prevail and my husband will be granted his rightful freedom.'

Ms Tejada, from Exeter, called on the British government to 'take a stand' adding: 'I am in complete shock and I don't know what to do. 

'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.

'The British Government must take a stand now for Matthew, one of their citizens. They say that the UAE is an ally, but the overwhelmingly arbitrary handling of Matt's case indicates a scarily different reality, for which Matt and I are being made to pay a devastatingly high price.

'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. Our nightmare has gotten even worse.'    

The life sentence was confirmed by family spokesperson, who said: 'The hearing lasted less than five minutes, and his lawyer was not present.'

A Reuters journalist was barred from entering the court, which was closed to the public. 

According to The National, Mr Hedges, was convicted by the Federal Appeals Court for attempting to procure sensitive information during a trip to the Emirates earlier this year.

In the UAE, life includes up to 25 years in jail followed by deportation. Mr Hedges, who was also ordered to pay legal fees, has the right to appeal the sentence within 30 days.  

This morning, Jeremy Hunt said he was 'deeply shocked and disappointed'.

'Today's verdict is not what we expect from a friend and trusted partner of the United Kingdom and runs contrary to earlier assurances,' he said.

He warned the UAE that 'the handling of this case... will have repercussions for the relationship between our two countries, which has to be built on trust.

'I regret the fact that we have reached this position and I urge the UAE to reconsider'.

Mr Hunt said he had personally raised the case at the highest levels of the UAE government, including during a visit to Abu Dhabi on November 12.

Mr Hedges, was convicted by the Federal Appeals Court for attempting to procure sensitive information during a trip to the Emirates earlier this year, local media reported

Mr Hedges' wife, Daniela, of Exeter, said in October that he is tired and 'shocked by everything', but in a good mood and 'glad to be breathing fresh air' after his release

Mr Hedges went to the UAE to research his PhD thesis, where he was accused of spying for the British Government and arrested.

At Mr Hedge's last hearing on October 24, his court-appointed lawyer maintained that he is innocent.

On October 29, Mr Hedges was released on bail after five months in solitary confinement and he has since been staying in Dubai with an ankle bracelet monitoring his movements.

At the time, he said he had expressed suicidal thoughts because jail conditions have caused him severe anxiety and panic attacks. 

He said he had not had his passport returned to him and was being made to wear an ankle bracelet. 

Mr Hedges' wife, Daniela, of Exeter, said in October that he is tired and 'shocked by everything', but in a good mood and 'glad to be breathing fresh air' after his release.

She also spoke of her hope for 'justice'. 

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said this morning he was 'deeply shocked' by the life sentence, which carries a maximum term of 25 years, and warned of 'repercussions'. He is pictured meeting Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, last week

Mr Hunt said he had personally raised the case at the highest levels of the UAE government, including during a visit to Abu Dhabi on November 12

In October it was reported that Mr Hedges (pictured with his wife) had expressed suicidal thoughts because jail conditions had caused him severe anxiety and panic attacks.

The life sentence was confirmed by family spokesperson, who said: 'The hearing lasted less than five minutes, and his lawyer was not present.' Pictured: A Federal Supreme Court building in Abu Dhabi

Yesterday, still hopeful her husband would be released without charge, she wrote on Twitter: 'Tomorrow, Nov 21, Matt will be appearing in court in Abu Dhabi. Hoping that justice will prevail and my husband will be granted his rightful freedom.'

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has previously said there are limits to what it can say publicly about the case because of the legal proceedings.

It said it was monitoring developments closely and staff were in close contact with Mr Hedges' wife Daniela, offering her support.

According to The National, a full statement from the court, translated from Arabic said: 'The Federal Appeals Court of Abu Dhabi sentenced Matthew Hedges, 31, to life imprisonment after being convicted of spying on the UAE and providing sensitive security and intelligence information to third parties. 

'The court also ruled that he would be deported from the country after the execution of the sentence and would be charged the costs of the legal case. 

'The court ordered the confiscation of all his equipment, devices, research and studies. The convicted person has the right to challenge the ruling with the State Security Department of the Federal Supreme Court within a maximum period of 30 days.'

Linkhienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2018/11/21/wife-of-british-academic-jailed-for-life-for-spying-in-uae-insists-he-is-innocent/
Main photo article The wife of a British academic jailed for life for ‘spying’ in the United Arab Emirates has said she is ‘in complete shock’ – and insists he is innocent. 
Matthew Hedges, a specialist in Middle Eastern studies at Durham University, appeared in court in Abu Dhabi to...

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