British retired geologist to be released from Iraq prison after its 15-year jail sentence for according to him, the smuggling of antiquities was suppressed. family and a lawyer.
Jim Fitton, 66, was jailed after collecting 12 rocks and pieces. of broken pottery as souvenirs when visiting the site in Eridu as part of organized tour of geology and archeology.
Iraqi officials said that items in southeast of the country can be considered archaeological sites as they date back back more than 200 years.
Fitton’s lawyer Thayer Saud told Agence France-Presse that the conviction was overturned by an Iraqi court. of cassation, adding: “My client will soon be free.”
His family said they were”over moon” after being told that he was cleansed. His son-in- Law Sam Tasker, 27, from Bath in Somerset said family “Expect him to home by the end of week”, although the timeline remains dont clear.
He said: “We were informed this morning that the Court of Appeal has decided to overturn the verdict. of criminal court to fully admit Jim’s innocence in this case, and arrange for his immediate release from 15year prison sentence in Baghdad.
“We understand that this process is under way – he is still in prison this evening, but soon be released. We will not be giving any press interviews or discussing the situation at all until he is home as we are not want set on fire wrong group or put it in any risk.
“Once he is home we will celebrate and take some time to recover as a family and will gladly tell story to anyone who will listen.”
Fitton, and father of two who life in Malaysia with his wife Sariya was in prison since March 20, when Baghdad airport security officials discovered the artifacts.
He was found guilty in Baghdad court under the Saddam Hussein-era law of 2002, which should did not address the case. His co-defendant, German tourist Volker Waldmann, was found not guilty.
men said they had no idea what the charge was items from Iraq was illegal and did not work with criminal intention.
Vera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath hailed “fantastic development”, adding, “It’s impossible to imagine the stress that Jim and his family withstood over in past a few months.
“Jim and his family showed incredible strength and should be extremely proud of in role they played in pressure on government play. It was an incredibly troubling time, and government should consider how improve way they react to these cases in in first example.
“This is evidence that hard work of consulate teamofficials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, of of course Jim family”.
Over 357,000 people signed online petition for Fitton to be released over fears he will be sentenced to death.
A Foreign Office spokesman said he was providing consular assistance to a British national in Iraq continues support his family and is in contact with local authorities.
