A Scots dad's Iraq prison 'nightmare' is finally over after he arrived back home in Scotland to his 'buzzing' family today.
Brian Glendinning was jailed in a Baghdad prison for 70 days after being arrested in Basra International Airport on September 4.
Last week, the QNB issued a clearance note stamped by Qatar authorities saying they no longer wanted the 43-year-old extradited and he was freed days later.
After months of 'hell' Brian flew into Edinburgh Airport this morning from Istanbul and was met by his emotional loved ones at the arrivals gate.
Brian was met by his mother, Meta; his wife, Kimberly; daughters Heidi and Lexi; and his brothers John and Lee at Edinburgh after returning to Scotland on a flight from Istanbul.
Douglas Chapman MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, posted emotional pictures of the reunion on Twitter.
He said: "My constituent, Brian Glendinning returns home from his ordeal in an Iraqi jail. Delighted to be able to meet him on his return.
"You can see how much his release means to his family."
Speaking to journalists at the airport, Brian said: "I just didn't think this time was coming anytime soon."
The construction worker added he was now "back where I belong with my family and my friends".
He said: "It's just the emotions. I didn't think I was going to be here anytime soon."
Brian thanked all those who had supported him and worked to get him freed - including Radha Stirling, founder of the Interpol and Extradition Reform (Ipex) initiative, and Mr Chapman who was also at the airport to greet him.
"If it wasn't for the support from everybody back home, my family and my friends, Douglas Chapman, Radha Stirling, I would still have been there," Mr Glendinning said.
"To be honest, I think I would have been on my way to Qatar and it wouldn't have been for the World Cup."
He was unable to shave during the time in prison - with his brother John saying there had only been a single communal shaver in the jail, where Mr Glendinning had been kept in "vile" conditions.
Brian joked: "It's just time to get home and get to the barbers."
John told the Daily Record that he cried tears of joy after receiving a surprise phone call from Brian's lawyer to say he was being freed.
He added: "It's the moment we have been dreaming of for the nine weeks. We're absolutely buzzing to see him."
"He told me that Brian would be released later today and I'm delighted to say now that he has been. I had the pleasure of breaking the news to his wife Kimberly and my parents.
"It's all we've been dreaming of over the last nine weeks. We were all so emotional. I cried tears of joy, I was just so relieved and happy.
"A huge weight has been lifted off all of our shoulders. When I seen his name and number appear on my phone after his release I couldn't quite believe it. I honestly didn't think I'd see him phoning me again."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
