Nov. 23 (UPI) -- The United Arab Emirates said it will consider a clemency request to pardon a British national sentenced to life in prison for espionage.
Matthew Hedges, a 31-year-old British PhD student specializing in Middle Eastern studies at Durham University in England, was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday. Hedges and his wife, Daniela Tejada, deny the allegations but prosecutors said he admitted to the charges.
The sentence prompted outrage and allegations that Hedges was not given a fair trial and his sentence was handed down after a five-minute hearing. UAE ambassador in London Sulaiman Almazroui denied any wrongdoing on behalf of the UAE court system but said the government would consider a clemency request.
"Matthew Hedges was not convicted after a five-minute show trial, as some have reported. Over the course of one month, three judges evaluated compelling evidence in three hearings," Almazroui said in a statement, according to the Telegraph. "They reached their conclusions after a full and proper process. This was an extremely serious case. We live in a dangerous neighbourhood and national security must be a top priority.
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He added: "Mr Hedges' family have made a request for clemency and the government is studying that request. British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt had a good conversation yesterday with our foreign minister."
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the British government sees "no foundation in the charges" and warned there will be "serious diplomatic consequences for a country that says it is a friend and ally of the United Kingdom," CNN reported.
On Thursday, Hunt tweeted that he is in close talks with his UAE counterparts to get Hedges released.
"Today I saw Matthew Hedges' wife Daniela & UAE Ambassador. I've just had a constructive conversation with UAE FM Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed. I believe & trust he's working hard to resolve the situation asap. We've a close partnership with UAE which will help us take things forward," Hunt wrote.
