A former Royal Marine held in Dubai accused of spying has finally been cleared and can return home to the UK.
Matthew Croucher who was awarded the George's Cross for throwing himself on a grenade in Afghanistan to protect his fellow soldiers, had been held in the United Arab Emirates since November. Today, he was cleared of all charges and is allowed to leave the country.
The 40-year-old former serviceman had been “arrested after accessing a public facility using illegal means of technology”, according to UAE authorities. “The case was referred to the Dubai Public Prosecution, and after thorough investigation, the evidence was found to be inadequate. The case was dismissed and Croucher is now free to leave the UAE."
Mr Croucher was working as a security consultant when he was arrested then forced to sleep on the floor in an overcrowded prison eating only chicken and rice, his family said. They claim 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".
He was awarded the honour by the late Queen (PA)Speaking earlier this week, they said: "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." Dubai officials obtained a warrant for Matt's accommodation in the UAE, seizing an electronic device.
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The device was used for security penetration testing as part of his day job, according to a friend. After being held in prison for four days, he was released under investigation. But with the investigation continuing, he was stuck in the country with his passport and access to his bank account seized.
Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher holds the backpack he was wearing when he jumped on a grenade (PA)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".
Mr Croucher is also an Iraq veteran and won Britain's highest honour for bravery for throwing himself on an exploding grenade to save his colleagues in 2008. Remarkably he survived the incident in Sangin, Afghanistan, after his body armour repelled the force of the blast. He received his honour from the late Queen Elizabeth.
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