This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-46451590

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Matthew Hedges: Academic 'psychologically tortured' in UAE jail Matthew Hedges: Academic 'psychologically tortured' in UAE jail
(about 1 hour later)
The British academic jailed for spying in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has told how he endured "psychological torture".The British academic jailed for spying in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has told how he endured "psychological torture".
Matthew Hedges, 31, said he was forced to stand "all day" in ankle cuffs, suffered panic attacks and had suicidal thoughts.Matthew Hedges, 31, said he was forced to stand "all day" in ankle cuffs, suffered panic attacks and had suicidal thoughts.
Mr Hedges told the BBC he confessed to being a captain in MI6 to stop the "torture". Mr Hedges, who denies being a spy, told the BBC he only confessed to being a captain in MI6 to stop the "torture".
The UAE also asked him to act as a double agent in the UK Foreign Office, The UAE also asked him to act as a double agent in the UK Foreign Office.
Mr Hedges had denied spying and said he had been researching his PhD, but was jailed for life last month after a five-minute trial.Mr Hedges had denied spying and said he had been researching his PhD, but was jailed for life last month after a five-minute trial.
The UAE government said the Durham academic was "100% a spy", but pardoned him on 26 November.The UAE government said the Durham academic was "100% a spy", but pardoned him on 26 November.
Speaking to John Humphrys on the Today programme on Radio 4, Mr Hedges said being in a cell was "was lonely and isolating".Speaking to John Humphrys on the Today programme on Radio 4, Mr Hedges said being in a cell was "was lonely and isolating".
He was given a "cocktail" of medication to treat his depression and anxiety, he said, and deprived of natural light.He was given a "cocktail" of medication to treat his depression and anxiety, he said, and deprived of natural light.
"I wasn't allowed to do anything to distract myself. My mental health was deteriorating," he said."I wasn't allowed to do anything to distract myself. My mental health was deteriorating," he said.
"I was handcuffed and blindfolded. I had to stand all day in ankle cuffs.""I was handcuffed and blindfolded. I had to stand all day in ankle cuffs."
Visits to the bathroom were accompanied by four guards, he said.Visits to the bathroom were accompanied by four guards, he said.
Mr Hedges said standing in ankle cuffs was "mentally exhausting", but that adrenaline would kick in and help him cope.Mr Hedges said standing in ankle cuffs was "mentally exhausting", but that adrenaline would kick in and help him cope.
Shortly before his arrest he was due to have counselling to deal with anxiety and depression.Shortly before his arrest he was due to have counselling to deal with anxiety and depression.
"I could not manage my thoughts throughout the incarceration," he said."I could not manage my thoughts throughout the incarceration," he said.
He also said he regularly had panic attacks and some nights he dreamt of hanging himself in his cell.He also said he regularly had panic attacks and some nights he dreamt of hanging himself in his cell.
He said he was only able to speak to his wife Daniela Tejada - who had been campaigning for his release - once a week.He said he was only able to speak to his wife Daniela Tejada - who had been campaigning for his release - once a week.
During hours of interrogations he said the psychological pressure was so great he confessed.During hours of interrogations he said the psychological pressure was so great he confessed.
"I panicked and told them I was a captain in MI6 - I told them what they wanted to hear.""I panicked and told them I was a captain in MI6 - I told them what they wanted to hear."
He also spoke of how he felt when he was sentenced to life in prison.He also spoke of how he felt when he was sentenced to life in prison.
'Think twice''Think twice'
"It was total shock - I wasn't able to process it. I couldn't say goodbye to Danni.""It was total shock - I wasn't able to process it. I couldn't say goodbye to Danni."
Ms Tejada said academics would now have to think twice before doing research in the UAE.Ms Tejada said academics would now have to think twice before doing research in the UAE.
She said: "At the heart of it it's about drawing red lines. I think the biggest issue is naturally the fact that there is no academic freedom in the UAE but also the fact that the red lines aren't clearly drawn.She said: "At the heart of it it's about drawing red lines. I think the biggest issue is naturally the fact that there is no academic freedom in the UAE but also the fact that the red lines aren't clearly drawn.
"So it's sort of every man on their own. Each academic will have a different experience - to assess how safe it is to do research.""So it's sort of every man on their own. Each academic will have a different experience - to assess how safe it is to do research."