Hero marine who received George Cross held prisoner in Dubai accused of spying

05 June 2024 , 06:38

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Matt Croucher with the George Cross he received for his work in Afghanistan (Image: PA)

A Marines hero who received the George Cross for serving in Afghanistan has been held in Dubai after being accused of spying.

Matt Croucher was arrested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) November on spying charges and had his passport confiscated. The 40-year-old has previously been awarded Britain's top gallantry accolade for his service in Afghanistan in 2008. The ex-Royal Marine has also served in Iraq.

UAE authorities charged him with intentionally and illegally accessing a telecommunications network in November, The Times reports, and he has been barred from leaving the country. No other details have been provided about his arrest.

Matt, pictured being presented with the Royal Jubilee Medal by King Charles (PA Wire/Press Association Images)

Matt, currently a security consultant, was forced to sleep on the floor in an overcrowded prison eating only chicken and rice, his family told the title. His loved ones said they had been left in the dark over his incarceration, suffering "immense stress" as a result and claiming the charges were "made up and ridiculous".

"We don't understand why it's taking the Dubai authorities so long to process this case... a case we believe to be made up and ridiculous," the family added in a statement. Dubai officials obtained a warrant for Matt's accommodation in the UAE, seizing an electronic device.

'I ventured into Alcatraz after dark and was terrified by what I saw and heard'

The device, on friend said, was used for security penetration testing as part of his day job. After being held in prison for four days, he was released under investigation. But with the probe continuing, he faces being stuck in the country with his passport and access to his bank account seized.

It's understood Matt, from Solihull, West Midlands, had stopped in Dubai to see friends on the way home from working in Qatar and Saudi Arabia in October at the time of his arrest. A spokesperson for the foreign office said: "We are supporting a British man in the UAE and are in contact with the local authorities".

Susie Beever