Arrest of Matthew Hedges

"Matthew Hedges" redirects here. For the American soccer player, see Matt Hedges.

Matthew Hedges
Born1986 or 1987 (age 38–39)
Surrey, United Kingdom
OccupationDoctoral student
Criminal chargeEspionage
Penalty25 years of imprisonment followed by deportation (pardoned in November 2018)
Date apprehended
May 2018

In May 2018, Matthew Hedges, a British doctoral student who was in the United Arab Emirates for a two-week trip, was arrested at Dubai International Airport on suspicion of spying on behalf of the British government. In November 2018, Hedges was sentenced to 25 year of imprisonment followed by deportation in the United Arab Emirates on charges of espionage.

The verdict was criticised in the United Kingdom, including by Prime Minister Theresa May and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Jeremy Hunt. Hedges was pardoned in November 2018 ahead of the United Arab Emirates's National Day after his family pleaded for a pardon.

Since his pardon, Hedges has lodged multiple lawsuits and criminal complaints against the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Emirati officials for allegations of wrongful imprisonment and torture.

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