UAE to consider 'clemency' in case of convicted Briton
Hedges' family requested clemency and the government is considering it, says UAE envoy
LONDON: The ambassador of the UAE in London said on Friday his government is studying whether to grant clemency to a convicted British academic sentenced to life in prison for espionage.
Ambassador Sulaiman Hamid Al Mazroui said that academic Matthew Hedges' family has requested clemency and the government is considering it.
He said the espionage case against the 31-year-old Hedges "was an extremely serious case" and that he had been convicted based on "compelling evidence" after a full and fair judicial process.
"The crimes Mr Hedges was accused of are extremely serious. For the UAE, like all countries, protecting our national security must be our first priority," he said.
The ambassador denied claims that Hedges received only a brief court hearing before being convicted on very serious charges and said the British academic had proper legal representation in court.
The ambassador said he has met with British officials to discuss the case.
Hedges is a Ph.D. student who was arrested on May 5 at Dubai Airport.
Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a professor of political science in the UAE, said he believes the government "must" have credible evidence against Hedges.
"I think what they have probably against him is that he does work for a government, with probably name tag, with ranking, with evidence," he said.
He said some sort of pardon is possible and that the case is unlikely to damage the "hugely important mutually beneficial relationship" between the UAE and Britain.
Briton in spying case treated fairly, says UAE official
Evidence against Matthew Hedges compelling, says official
Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a statement yesterday (Thursday) on Matthew Hedges, the British student who was sentenced to life imprisonment for spying on Wednesday.
Abdullah Al Naqbi, Head of the Department of Legal Affairs for ministry, said that the UAE respects the rule of law and is committed to upholding the highest judicial standards. “Like all countries with an independent judiciary it is vital that the government does not attempt to interfere in court cases. We cannot give assurances to other countries about the outcome of trials. Contrary to media reports, Matthew Hedges has been treated fairly and according to the constitution of the UAE,” said Al Naqbi.
“We are proud to have a system of justice that gives everyone the right to a fair trial. Our system also takes care to protect the welfare and physical wellbeing of suspects. Hedge’s has had access to medical and psychological care throughout. Members of his family and British Embassy staff were allowed to see him during the pre-trial phase,” he added.
“The case against Hedges was thoroughly investigated by the public prosecutor. Compelling and powerful evidence was presented in court. That included information extracted from his personal electronic devices by expert forensic analysis techniques; evidence provided by UAE intelligence Agencies; witness testaments and Hedges own confession.
“The case was heard by three judges in the security division of the Higher Federal Court who met a total of four times. In the first session on October 3 Hedges was asked whether he had proper representation and was offered the services of a court-appointed lawyer, which he accepted.
“Because the official language of UAE is Arabic Hedges was provided with translators, both in the investigation stage and during his trial. It is not true that he was asked to sign documents he did not understand. There were further hearings to consider the arguments of the prosecution and defence on October 10 and 24. Representatives from the British Embassy were present.
“The final session on November 21 was to announce a verdict and pass a sentence. The judges had made this clear in their previous session. It is normal and to be expected that such hearings are brief.
The crimes Hedges’ was accused of are extremely serious. For the UAE, like all countries, protecting our national security must be our first priority. Under the law of UAE anyone convicted by a court has the right to appeal the decision within thirty days. Families also have the right to appeal for Presidential Clemency on behalf of convicted relatives.
“The UAE is determined to protect its important strategic relationship with a key ally. Officials from both countries have discussed the matter regularly over recent months. Both sides hope to find an amicable solution to the Matthew Hedges case.”
Briton, 31, gets life sentence for spying in UAE
PhD student Matthew Hedges can appeal the sentence before the Federal Supreme Court
Abu Dhabi: A British student charged with posing as an academic researcher in order to spy for a foreign government was sentenced to life imprisonment today, the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeals heard.
Matthew Hedges, 31, will also be deported after serving his term, the court ruled.
The court ordered all his research documents and computers be confiscated and that he pay legal fees.
The ruling can be appealed before the Federal Supreme Court.
Hedges is said to have been studying for a PhD at Durham University. He was arrested at Dubai airport on May 5. Three weeks ago, Hedges was bailed out but on Wednesday, he showed up at the court.
He will be arrested and jailed pending filing for appeal before The Federal Supreme Court within 30 days
Charges
Hedges was first reported to prosecutors after an Emirati citizen told them the man had been asking for sensitive information. Prosecutors later said that he had been attempting to secure confidential information to potentially pass to a foreign agency.
Last month, UAE Attorney General Dr Hamad Al Shamsi ordered an urgent criminal trial following reports from an Emirati about the suspicious behaviour of a foreign national.
Dr Hamad said that during questioning, Hedges admitted to the claims against him, which were “identical to evidence and information gained from his own electronic devices and investigations conducted by the UAE’s security agencies”.
He went on to say that the accused has been provided a lawyer by the state and has received medical care.
He also said a family member and embassy staff have been allowed to visit him.
Al Shamsi said that Hedges had been charged with “spying for and on behalf of a foreign state in an act that jeopardises the military, economic and political security of the UAE.”
Al Shamsi added Hedges had been attempting during his trip to secure confidential information to potentially pass to a foreign agency.
A subsequent investigation by Public Prosecution revealed that the man had been attempting to procure confidential information about the UAE to potentially pass on to a foreign agency.
Hedges has had two visits from British Foreign Office officials who have taken up his case and offered support to the family.
In Wednesday’s court session, Hedges was accompanied by his wife, Daniela Tejada, and a representative from the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
Statement from Attorney General of UAE
Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, Attorney General of the United Arab Emirates, said in a statement that the Abu Dhabi Federal Appeals Court sentenced the defendant Matthew Hedges (a British national, 31 years old), to life imprisonment after the defendant confessed to the court of the charges brought against him by the prosecution on the basis of legal evidence resulting from the judicial investigation against him, in which he admitted in detail of the crimes committed.
Full guarantee of his rights was ensured during the investigations in accordance with the UAE Constitution and the laws of the state.
Al Shamsi said the defendant showed up in the court in the presence of representatives of the British embassy during the hearings. The defendant was tried ensuring fair, impartial and transparent trial, according to the UAE Constitution and laws.
The Attorney General said the verdict issued on Wednesday is not a final judgment, as the defendant could appeal against it before the Federal Supreme Court. The appeal means a re-trial, including the examination of evidence against him and all aspects of his defense and hearing him and his lawyers, one of the most important guarantees for fair trials in the United Arab Emirates in accordance with its Constitution and laws.
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