British student sentenced to life imprisonment in the UAE for spying has been surprisingly pardoned
Matthew Hedges' pardon comes shortly after Emirati officials released a video of the academic appearing to confess that he is a captain in MI6.
A British academic who had been jailed for life for spying in the UAE has been pardoned, officials of both the countries confirmed on Monday.
Thirty one-year-old Matthew Hedges, a specialist in Middle Eastern studies at Durham University, had reportedly appeared in court in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday last week for a hearing which lasted "less than five minutes", according to reports. The presidential pardon came nearly six months after his arrest at Dubai Airport, and it was reported he has been released from prison.
Hedges' wife, Daniela Tejada, while responding to the news of his release, said: "The family and I welcome the news of the presidential pardon and cannot wait to have Matt back home.”