A UAE court sentenced British national Matthew Hedges to life in prison on charges of spying for a foreign government while posing as an academic researcher.
The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeals has ruled that the 31-year old will serve 25 years in prison and then be deported.
The ruling can be appealed before the Federal Supreme Court within 30 days.
A full statement from the court, translated from Arabic said: 'The Federal Appeals Court of Abu Dhabi sentenced Matthew Hedges, 31, to life imprisonment after being convicted of spying on the UAE and providing sensitive security and intelligence information to third parties.
'The court also ruled that he would be deported from the country after the execution of the sentence and would be charged the costs of the legal case.
'The court ordered the confiscation of all his equipment, devices, research and studies. The convicted person has the right to challenge the ruling with the State Security Department of the Federal Supreme Court within a maximum period of 30 days.'
Charges
According to reports, Hedges was first reported to prosecutors after an Emirati citizen told them the man had been asking for sensitive information.
Hedges had been arrested at Dubai Airport in May this year.
Last month, UAE Attorney General Dr Hamad Al Shamsi had ordered an urgent criminal trial following the reports.
Dr Hamad said that during questioning, Hedges admitted to the claims against him, which were “identical to evidence and information gained from his own electronic devices and investigations conducted by the UAE’s security agencies”.
He went on to say that the accused has been provided with a lawyer by the state and has received medical care.
He also said a family member and embassy staff have been allowed to visit him.
Al Shamsi said that Hedges had been charged with “spying for and on behalf of a foreign state in an act that jeopardises the military, economic and political security of the UAE.”
In Wednesday’s court session, Hedges was accompanied by his wife, Daniela Tejada, and a representative from the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
The decision has been criticised by senior members of the British government including UK PM Theresa May.