Hero Royal Marine is CLEARED after being detained for seven months in Dubai after authorities admit to having ‘inadequate evidence’ against him
A Royal Marine hero has been released after being held for seven months Dubai after authorities admitted they had “insufficient evidence” against him.
Matthew Croucher, 40, who received one of Britain’s highest gallantry awards – the George Cross – for his service in Afghanistanwas arrested in November after being accused of espionage.
He was subsequently banned from leaving the UAE pending an investigation.
Authorities revealed Friday that Croucher “was arrested after gaining access to a public facility using illegal technology” in a case his family called “fabricated and ridiculous.”
“The matter was referred to the Dubai Public Prosecution Service and after thorough investigation the evidence was found to be inadequate. The case was dismissed and Croucher is now free to leave the UAE,” the Dubai media agency said.
Matthew Croucher, 40, was arrested in November after being accused of espionage but was today acquitted after being held in Dubai for seven months
“The decision underlines the Dubai Public Prosecution’s commitment to upholding the rule of law,” the statement continued.
The former Lance Corporal, who once jumped on a Taliban grenade to save his colleagues, was arrested on November 4 after officials in Dubai accused him of “intentionally and illegally accessing a telecommunications network.”
They did not reveal who they say he spied on, nor who he allegedly worked for, the Times reported.
Officials reportedly obtained an electronic device, which Croucher claimed was used in his daily work for security penetration testing, after obtaining a warrant to search where he lived.
While in prison, he was forced to sleep on the floor because it was so overcrowded. According to a close friend, he was also forced to eat a “primitive meal of rice and chicken with very unsanitary facilities” twice a day.
The friend claimed he was interrogated for six hours by Dubai Police Detectives, during which he was questioned about his role within the UK Ministry of Defense and intelligence services.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
