UAE says it may free UK student slammed with life sentence over espionage charges

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates say they may free UK student Matthew Hedges who was slammed with a life sentence by an Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal on charges of espionage.

According to UAE ambassador to UK, Sulaiman Hamid Almazroui, Hedges’ family “have made a request for clemency and the government is studying that request”.

“We have an extremely close partnership with the UK,” he told reporters. “Because of the strength of that relationship, we are hopeful that an amicable solution can be reached.”

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Hedges bagged the sentence after he was convicted of spying and supplying sensitive security info to external actors.

The verdict was handed down on Wednesday, a move described as deeply disappointing by British Prime Minister Theresa May.

Reports say Hedges, a PhD student at Durham University, was arrested on May 5 at Dubai airport after a two-week research visit.

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