British student Matthew Hedges has been charged with 'spying for a foreign state' in United Arab Emirates, UAE authorities said.

Mr Hedges, a PhD student at Durham University, was arrested at Dubai Airport on May 5 after a two-week visit.

The government said in a statement he had been charged with "spying for and on behalf of a foreign State, jeopardising the military, economy and political security of the UAE."

Investigators had gathered evidence from Mr Hedges' electronic devices and intelligence from UAE security agencies, the statement said.

The 31-year-old's wife Daniela Tejada has previously said her husband's rights are being "violated on a daily basis". She has claimed "the only reason he went to the UAE was for his academic research."

It was also claimed he was held in solitary confinement after being detained "without explanation" following the research trip.

(Image: PA)

(Image: PA)

Mr Hedges appeared at a court in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi last week, after a first hearing earlier this month, but was not informed of any charges, his wife said, adding that she had been told his trial would resume on October 24.

"Matt was in the UAE to carry out academic research for his PhD.

"Since he was detained on May 5, 2018 he has only ever been granted two consular visits which is in direct violation of his rights," she said.

Daniela, from Bogota, Columbia, said last week: "I feel like, above all things, I want everyone to know that Matt was just doing research, and that he should not have faced any of what he's facing for just having a sense of inquiry, and academic curiosity.

"He's just a good person, and a good student, and he has an untouchable record wherever you look at it.

"I feel like the fair and just thing for the UAE to do would be to admit that they've made a mistake and to release him, because he deserves it."

(Image: PA)

It is believed she has only seen her husband once since he was detained, in July, and described the 45-minute visit as "distressing".

They have weekly phone calls, monitored and lasting a maximum of five minutes, but have been forbidden from discussing the case, it is understood.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said last week that he was “very worried” about the student's fate.

He is understood to have personally raised Mr Hedges's case with his UAE counterpart amid concerns over his mental health and wellbeing.

British officials have visited Mr Hedges twice, although he is said to have been prevented from discussing his case with them.

Dr Ellie Holman shares Dubai jail hell where daughter, 4, 'had to use toilet on cell floor'

His wife earlier said: "Matt does not speak Arabic and is therefore unable to communicate fully with the court-appointed lawyer, who he has only met once, at his court hearing last week."

At the Institute of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies' Al-Qasimi Building - named after Emir of the UAE who studied in Durham - students had been asked not to speak to the media.

One postgrad student has previously said: "We received an email from the vice chancellor telling us not to try and get in touch with him on social media. They want to keep a low profile. I hope he gets out."

(Image: Facebook)

According to Durham University's website, Mr Hedges is a doctoral student in the School of Government and International Affairs whose research interests include civil-military relations, political economy and tribalism.

Students at the university have previously spoken of their shock.

Vice chancellor Professor Stuart Corbridge has previously said:"We are aware he has been detained in Abu Dhabi.

"We are seriously concerned about Matt's welfare and wellbeing and we remain in close contact with his family.

"We have raised these concerns with the UK Ambassador to the UAE, the Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and local MPs.

"We continue to offer our full assistance to efforts to bring Matt home safely and swiftly."

An FCO spokesperson told Mirror Online: "Our staff are supporting a British man following his detention in the UAE.

Show more

"We are assisting his family and remain in close contact with the local authorities.

"The Foreign Secretary has also personally raised his case with his Emirati counterpart."