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A British academic sentenced to life imprisonment by the United Arab Emirates for spying arrived in London after being pardoned by the president of the nation.
Matthew Hedges was released yesterday as part of a day of national clemency organized by the UAE, but officials have persisted in calling him a MI6 spy – an badertion denied by his family and colleagues.
The doctoral student of Durham University, originally from Exeter, was sentenced last Wednesday after being arrested at the Dubai airport while he was trying to leave on 5 may.
In his first statement since his release, Hedges said, "I do not know where to begin to thank people for getting my release.
"I have not read much or read what has been written in recent days, but Dani told me that the support was incredible.Thank you very much to the British Embbady and the FCO (Foreign Office ) for their efforts to arrive safely at home.
"I could not have done that without Daniela, I hear that his face is everywhere!
"She is so brave and strong that to see her and my family after this ordeal is the best thing that can have come in. Thank you again, it's very surreal."
Hedges' wife, Daniela Tejada, has organized a campaign to free British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, 31, has personally discussed the case with the leaders of the UAE United.
At a press conference held yesterday in Abu Dhabi, officials showed a video of Mr. Hedges posing as an MI6 captain at a hearing that appeared to be an audience.
However, MI6 – the foreign intelligence service – is not known to use military ranks.
A senior official told reporters in Abu Dhabi that Mr. Hedges was "100% a full-time secret service agent" who was in the country "to steal UAE's sensitive national security secrets from its paymasters".
He added that the British pardon had been received in response to a letter from his family asking for clemency and because of the close historical ties between the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.
Ms. Tejada said, "I'm so happy to have my Matt at home!"
"Thank you once again for the overwhelming support we have received, especially from the United Arab Emirates Embbady and the Foreign Office, who have made sure that Matt is sent home safely. exhausted!
"Thank you once again to the international community and the international media for their support from the beginning.
"I hope you can all understand that Matt and I, as well as his family, really need time to deal with all that we have experienced.Nobody should ever have to suffer what he's done and it will take time to heal and recover.He is very overwhelmed.
"To say that we are happy is a euphemism."
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