U.A.E. Says It's Considering Clemency for Jailed U.K. Academic

The United Arab Emirates is considering a clemency plea submitted by the family of British academic Matthew Hedges, jailed for life this week after being charged with spying, as both countries attempt to resolve a spat that threatens to damage ties.

In a televised statement, U.A.E. ambassador to the U.K. Sulaiman Hamid Almazroui defended the Gulf state’s judicial process in what he called an “extremely serious” case. The University of Durham doctoral student was accused of espionage and jeopardizing the state’s military, security and economy, according to earlier statements by U.A.E. authorities.