Matthew Hedges: Jailed UAE spy row Briton ‘terrified’

Matthew Hedges Image copyright EPA/DANIELA TEJADA Symbol caption The UAE govt is learning a request for clemency made via Matthew Hedges’ family

A British academic, convicted of spying in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and jailed for all times, is “absolutely terrified”, his wife says.

Daniela Tejada stated she had had “five mins” at the phone with Matthew Hedges for the first time considering his sentencing and he’s “now not smartly”.

Hedges, 31, denied spying and mentioned he were researching his PhD. Prosecutors said he confessed.

The UAE government is learning a request for clemency through his circle of relatives.

Ms Tejada confirmed the request have been made, adding: “we can wait to look what occurs.”

Symbol Copyright @BBCPaulAdams @BBCPaulAdams

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Twitter post by @BBCPaulAdams: Things looking a bit more positive for Matthew Hedges this evening. Foreign office sources say they regard earlier UAE FM statement as “olive branch.” “We wanted to respond in kind.” Image Copyright @BBCPaulAdams @BBCPaulAdams

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Mr Hunt met Ms Tejada within the wake of her complaint of the united kingdom executive for failing to take an organization sufficient stance with the UAE.

However, talking afterwards, Ms Tejada thanked the foreign secretary for “taking the time” to fulfill her at “this crucial point”.

Hedges, a political scientist at Durham University who’s at the start from Exeter, have been within the united states of america getting to know the UAE’s security strategy for his PhD thesis whilst he used to be arrested at Dubai airport on 5 May.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentioned the rustic was once “made up our minds to protect its vital strategic relationship with a key ally” and delivered it was hoping all sides may just to find “an amicable answer” to the case.

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