Matthew Hedges expresses concern over fate of British football fan

British ex-detainee Matthew Hedges, who was recently freed from UAE jails, has voiced concern over the continued detention of a young British-Sudanese man reportedly arrested in the UAE two weeks ago for wearing a Qatar football shirt to an Asian Cup match.

"I am [concerned] because it shows there is a manipulation of the law to suit political means, to make the point and say 'we don't like this type of behaviour so we are going to do as we will'," Hedges told Sky News.

Ali Issa Ahmad, 26, was arrested in Sharjah emirate on 22 January. He could face a 15-year jail term and a fine of over Dh 500,000 on charges of ‘showing sympathy for Qatar’.

Hedges, who was released in November after being pardoned after diplomatic pressure from British authorities, said he has little faith in the UAE's justice system.