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Who is Matthew Hedges, why was he jailed in the UAE and what has his wife said about claims he is a spy?
BRITISH student Matthew Hedges who was sentenced to life in prison in the United Arab Emirates has been pardoned and released after his family requested clemency.
Here's what we know about him and what his wife said about claims he's a spy.
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Who is Matthew Hedges?
Matthew Hedges is a British student who was studying for his PhD in Middle Eastern studies at Durham University.
The 31-year-old was held in solitary confinement since he was arrested on May 5 at Dubai Airport.
On November 26 Emirati officials announced in a press conference Mr Hedges was to be pardoned with immediate effect.
Why was he being held in the UAE?
Mr Hedges is said to have been seized as he tried to leave the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after a research trip for his PhD in May.
He went to the Arab state to interview sources on its foreign policy as part of research for his PhD thesis.
It’s not clear exactly what he has been accused of, but his colleagues reportedly believe he was accused of spying on the UAE for nearby country Qatar.
Mr Hedges was taken into custody at Dubai Airport then moved to the UAE’s capital Abu Dhabi.
He is reported to have been in solitary confinement for five months after he was accused of spying in Dubai.
The UAE's attorney general has said Mr Hedges was charged with spying for a foreign state, without naming it, and jeopardising the military, economic and political security of the country.
On November 21 the UAE sentenced him to life in prison on charges of spying.
The court sentencing lasted less than five minutes, with no lawyer present for the Brit.
During a press conference where he was released, a video shows that purported to show him claiming to be a captain in M16.
What did his wife say about claims he is a spy?
However, his wife Daniela Tejada has said allegations of spying are untrue.
She says her husband was researching security policies in the region after the pro-democracy movement known as the Arab Spring.
: “It breaks my heart that we have been married for nearly two years. I just want him back.”
Matthew had not been harmed physically, but given the circumstances he was suffering from depression and panic attacks, according to his wife who was able to visit him just once in July.
Daniela told The Times: “It was evident he was on medication. He was constantly shaking.
"He clearly did not expect to see me. He seemed to be very cautious about what he said and what he didn’t say, which leads me to think he might have been coerced into saying or not saying certain things.”
Did he send a coded message to the UK government?
Mr Hedges was believed to have delivered a coded message to British officials that his confession was made under duress.
Video footage released by the United Arab Emirates yesterday showed Mr Hedges, 31, admitting to working for M16 in the rank of captain.
But there is no such title within the British intelligence agencies — and experts believe Mr Hedges would have well known this.
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What did the Foreign Office say?
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "As the Foreign Secretary has made clear, there are limits to what we can say publicly on Matthew's case due to ongoing legal proceedings.
"We are monitoring developments closely and have made the Emirati authorities aware of all our concerns. We continue to do everything we can for Matthew and his family.
"Our staff are in close contact with Matthew's wife, Daniela, offering her all possible support at what we appreciate is a hugely difficult time. We also remain in regular contact with his lawyer.
"It is the longstanding policy of successive UK governments not to comment on intelligence matters."
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