I spy with my little eye...

Anybody else feel that, however sorry we may feel for this lad who has been imprisoned for life in the UAE and for his wife, he is the author of his own misfortune?  To go to such a secretive country with the intention of researching their security systems strikes me as a bit like putting your head in the lion's mouth.  I assume somebody must have done a "risk assessment|"  and how they could not have seen the possibility of his being suspected of spying is, frankly, incredible.  I hope diplomatic efforts will result in his release, but really - what was he thinking?