A retired British geologist detained in Iraq after being accused of smuggling historical artefacts out of the country has been told he could face the death penalty.
Pensioner James Graham Fitton's family have pleaded for his safe return after he travelled from Bath, Somerset, to the Middle East as part of a tour group in March.
SomersetLive reports that he is now facing a fight for his life after his relatives were informed he could possibly face the most severe punishment.
But he was detained on his way home when his luggage was found to contain shards of stone and pottery that he had collected as souvenirs.
The 66-year-old’s daughter Leila and her husband Sam Tasker said: “Had he been aware of the perceived severity of this, he obviously would not have done this."
But they say the shards of stone and pottery were “widely agreed to be valueless” and that he often brought souvenirs back from his trips, likening it to “bringing home a small stone from the beach.”
They now anxiously await the result of his sentencing under article 41 of the Iraqi Artefacts Law no.55 of 2002 which states: “Whoever exported or intended to export, deliberately, an antiquity, from Iraq, shall be punishable with execution.”
They want to “set the record straight” and appealed to the government to step in to make sure Jim is home safe and as soon as possible.
They’ve secured the help of Wera Hobhouse, the Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, who said: “From speaking with James' family it is clear that he would not intentionally disrespect or appropriate the rich and fascinating culture of the region.
“I have written to the Foreign Office, been in touch with the consulate support services, and contacted the Minister's office directly but so far the response has been disappointing.
“James' lawyer has advised that an intervention from the British Government will make a difference in this case.
"That is why I am urging the Government to intervene to make James’ release more likely.”
She also expressed her wish that James’ German counterpart should also be released.
He and Jim had not met before the tour but were both detained at the airport.
Jim had stayed behind with the group’s bags while his trainee tour guide Glenis took the tour leader Geoff Hann, who had collapsed and was unable to speak, onto the plane.
Geoff, instead, was emanded in custody in his hospital bed, so couldn’t be medically evacuated back to the UK.
He tragically passed away in custody.
Because Jim had stayed behind with the bags, all the 32 illegal items of debris were attributed to him– but his lawyer has since clarified only 12 of them were his, while the others belonged to Geoff, and Glenis (for whom an arrest warrant has been issued).
The German man is still detained along with Jim.
The family said that recent reports have branded Jim as a “criminal” and hope their account of the story will help him get home and avoid the worst-case scenario.
They said: “We are very keen for the Iraqi public to understand that Jim would never in any way intend to disrespect or appropriate the rich and fascinating culture of the region, but rather to celebrate it.
“It remains our hope and fervent endeavour to see Jim and the other German detainee returned safely home to recover from this ordeal with their families.”
