British academic Matthew Hedges has been charged with spying “for a foreign state” in the United Arab Emirates, officials said. The 31-year-old was detained at the airport in May as he was leaving the country following a research trip. Mathew Hedges is originally from Exeter and is studying for a PhD…
British academic Matthew Hedges has been charged with spying “for a foreign state” in the United Arab Emirates, officials said. The 31-year-old was detained at the airport in May as he was leaving the country following a research trip.
Background
Mathew Hedges is originally from Exeter and is studying for a PhD at Durham University. He was researching about the impact of the Arab Spring on the UAE’s foreign policy and security strategy.
Hedges was detained at the Dubai airport on May 5 and has been held in solitary confinement. His colleagues believe he is being held on charges of spying for Qatar – a country with which the UAE has severed ties.
It is understood that he was reported to authorities by one of his interviewees for “asking sensitive questions about some sensitive departments” and “seeking to gather classified information on the UAE”.
Hedges appeared at a court in Abu Dhabi following a first hearing earlier in October. His wife Daniela Tejada said her husband suffered from anxiety and depression and has been forced to sleep on the floor for months. Hedges has been allowed two visits by Foreign Office officials and one visit by his wife. His trial is set to resume on October 24.
“My husband Matt has not received appropriate medical care and attention, especially in regard to his mental health,” she said in a statement. “Matt is a man of integrity and principle. He has a brilliant academic mind and an impeccable track record”.
According to the Durham University website, Hedges is a doctoral student in the School of Government and International Affairs and co-authored a paper about the Muslim Brotherhood and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), of which the UAE is a member.
Earlier in October, British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was “extremely concerned” about Hedges’ fate. He tweeted: “Have raised twice with foreign minister and stressed the need for regular consular access, fair & humane treatment as well as due process which is essential.”
UAE Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash defended his country’s handling of the case saying it has been discussed extensively with UK counterparts over the past five months. He added there have been “unusual and embarrassing revelations about friends and allies.”
“With reluctance of UK authorities to address matter through common channels, due legal process needs to take its course,” Gargash said.
Analysis
British academic Matthew Hedges has been charged for spying in the UAE, authorities said, five months after he was arrested.
“The Attorney General of United Arab Emirates… confirmed today that Mr. Matthew Hedges, a British Citizen, has been charged with spying for and on behalf of a foreign State, jeopardizing the military, economy and political security of the UAE,” authorities said in a statement. Investigators gathered evidence from Hedges’ electronic devices and intelligence from UAE security agencies, they added.
UAE Attorney General Hamad al-Shamsi alleged Hedges had been posing as a researcher to cover his activities.
Daniela Tejada said she has received official confirmation of the charges from the UAE or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Human rights groups including Amnesty International have called for Hedges’ immediate release.
“It’s unfortunately all too common for the Emirati authorities to hold people incommunicado for months on end,” Amnesty International UK’s Polly Truscott said. “If [Hedges] is being held simply for having conducted academic research into the country’s security services, he should be released immediately.”
Durham University said it is “seriously concerned” for Hedges’ welfare. Its school of government and international affairs has already banned all student research travel to the UAE until reasons for his detainment has been established.
Hedges’ arrest happened to occur the same month that an Abu Dhabi high court sentenced prominent human rights activist Ahmed Mansoor to 10 years in prison for “defaming” the UAE on social media.
Although the UAE is a major tourism and trade hub in the Middle East, it does not tolerate public criticism of its monarchy, policies or religion. The country is also particularly focused on controlling how it is perceived globally and has hired PR firms to manage its image and counter any negative criticism or media coverage. Human rights activists, YouTube satirists and others have been arrested for publicly posting criticism of Emirati authorities in the past.
Assessment
Our assessment is that the arrest of academic Matthew Hedges could send a troubling message to the academic community. The UAE’s control of information and clampdown on criticism also paints a sharp contrast to its public image as a modern and open society. We believe Hedges must receive a fair and transparent hearing, unrestricted access to legal counsel, consular support and communication with his family.
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