Matthew Hedges gets constant medical care, in touch with family

Abu Dhabi - UAE issues statement on the welfare of British national Matthew Hedges.

A British academic researcher arrested recently on suspicion of spying on the UAE government has been "provided with constant medical and psychological care", a welfare review has found.
Matthew Hedges is on trial at the Abu Dhabi's Court of Appeal, charged with "spying for and on behalf of a foreign state", an act that "jeopardises the military, economic and political security of the UAE".
Following "widespread media reporting and speculation", Mohammed Obaid Al Zaabi, Director of the Department of the Foreign Nationals Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, carried out a review of Hedges' welfare status.
According to the review, after his initial arrest and prior to trial proceedings, Hedges' family members and embassy staff were given access to him "on several occasions in accordance with UAE laws and regulations".
"With the completion of the investigation process and since the commencement of the trial, the conditions of Hedges remand have been reduced:
1. Hedges has the ongoing facility to contact family, embassy and consular staff and his legal counsel by phone.
2. Hedges has been provided with books and reading material of his choice.
3. Hedges' lawyer and his immediate family have the ongoing ability to access him in keeping with the protocols of the trial process," the review stated.
Since the commencement of the trial, Hedges has been accommodated in a lower security remand centre.
"It is important to note that the right to a fair trial is guaranteed by Article 94 of the UAE Constitution. The UAE constitution also provides that an accused person shall be presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a legal and fair trial. Articles 1 to 8 of Law No. 3 of 26 May 1993 guarantee the independence of judges.
"The treatment of Hedges is entirely in keeping with obligations under UAE Law and international norms and his welfare has been appropriately supported and maintained throughout the process," the review found.
The UAE's Attorney General, Dr Hamad Al Shamsi, had earlier said that Hedges had carried out the "unlawful act of spying" under the cover of an academic researcher.
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