The UAE has issued a statement on the sentencing of the British scholar Matthew Hedges for spying and said that Contrary to media reports, Matthew Hedges has been treated fairly and according to the constitution of the UAE. <br />''<br />''<br />''Abdulla Al Naqbi, Head of the Department of Legal Affairs for the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation making a detailed statement late in the evening said, the case against Mr Hedges was thoroughly investigated by the public prosecutor. <br />''<br />''<br />''Compelling and powerful evidence was presented in court. <br />''<br />''<br />''That included information extracted from his personal electronic devices by expert forensic analysis techniques; evidence provided by UAE intelligence Agencies; witness testaments and Mr Hedges own confession.<br />'' <br />''The statement further said that the crimes Mr Hedges was accused of are extremely serious adding that like all countries, protecting its national security must be UAE's first priority. <br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Matthew Hedges, 31, has been on trial at Abu Dhabi's Court of Appeal on the charge of spying for and on behalf of a foreign state. He was sentenced by a UAE court for life imprisonment.</span><br />