The United Arab Emirates has pardoned British academic Matthew Hedges, who was given a life-term over charges of espionage, with immediate effect.
The Middle Eastern Studies expert was sentenced to a lifetime in jail in a hearing that lasted five minutes on November 22 on charges of spying. He was not provided legal representation during the proceeding against him.
UK's Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt had earlier stated that there would be serious diplomatic consequences for UAE over the life sentence and rallied for the academic's release. He had also mentioned that the UK found no evidence to back up charges against Hedges, promising to do all that they can to "get him home".
Hedges had been arrested at the Dubai airport on May 5 and kept in solitary confinement for six months before being given a bail, according to CNN.
Further details are awaited.