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British geologist Jim Fitton jailed in Iraq not a criminal, family say

Published

16 hours ago

The daughter of a British geologist jailed in Iraq says she "just wants him home", adding "he is not a criminal".

Jim Fitton's family said they were terrified about how he would be treated in prison after being sentenced to 15 years for attempting to smuggle artefacts out of the country.

Mr Fitton, from Bath, insisted he had no idea he was breaking Iraqi laws.

His son-in-law, Sam Tasker, added: "He's an old white British man, there's a lot of ill feeling towards the west."

The 66-year-old had collected 12 stones and shards of broken pottery during a recent geology and archaeology tour.

His daughter, Leila Fitton, said: "We just want my dad home. He's so undeserving. He's not a criminal."

Mr Fitton has been held in detention at Baghdad airport since his arrest on 20 March, but following his conviction is due to be transferred to a general population jail.

Mr Tasker criticised the UK Government for the level of support provided by the Foreign Office.

He added that they were "desperately asking" the government to publicly come out against the verdict and endorse an appeal they would be raising.

"I think there's a huge disconnect between what people assume the Foreign Office will do for British citizens when they're in trouble abroad and what they actually see as their role in reality," he said.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-somerset-61729469

1-00246 Anderson, Vincent

the resurrection chamber of Gilgamesh, the

location of his body and the burial location of

Nenhilim

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https://foia.state.gov/Search/Results.aspx?searchText=(gilgamesh)%20AND%20(gilgamesh)