A former Royal Marine who was arrested in Dubai on suspicion of spying has been cleared and is free to leave the country, authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said on Friday.
Matthew Croucher, who won one of Britain’s highest bravery honours for his service in Afghanistan, was arrested in November and banned from leaving the UAE pending an investigation.
His family said in a statement that the case was “made up and ridiculous”.
Authorities in Dubai said on Friday that Mr Croucher had been “arrested after accessing a public facility using illegal means of technology”.
“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,” said the Dubai media office, a government agency in the Emirates.
“The decision highlights the Dubai Public Prosecution’s commitment to upholding the rule of law,” the statement added.
