A retired British geologist is facing the death penalty in Iraq after being arrested at the airport for pieces of broken pottery, according to his family.
Jim Fitton is due to stand trial in May on charges of smuggling historical artifacts from the country, they said.
The 66-year-old man took pieces of broken pottery – after being convinced they were of no value – when visiting a historic site, according to a petition calling on the UK government to help facilitate his release.
The retired geologist – who lives in Malaysia – was arrested while trying to return home from his geology and archeology tour in Iraq earlier this year.
“The legal penalty for his alleged crime is execution,” his family said.
Wera Hobhouse, a Liberal Democrat who represents family members in Bath, said Mr Fitton’s case was “deeply worrying” and called on the British government to intervene.
Retired British geologist Jim Fitton with his wife Sarija Fitton and his daughter Layla Fitton
(PA)
The children of the detained Briton – Joshua and Leila – and Leila’s husband Sam Tasker have released a petition calling for the same.
“During the tour, our father visited historic sites around Iraq, where his tour group found fragments of stones and pieces of broken pottery in piles on the ground,” the statement said.
“These fragments were in the open, unguarded and without warnings of removal.
Jim Fitton with his family
(Delivered)
“The tour leaders also collected the pieces as souvenirs at the site in Eridu. Tour members were told that this would not be a problem, as the broken pieces have no economic or historical value.
It added: “We believe that our father may be brought to justice in the week beginning May 8, after Eid in Iraq.
“We have days to save him before the verdict and we need the foreign ministry to help by intervening in his case now.
“Our lawyer has prepared a proposal to close the case and immediately repatriate our father, which requires the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to be presented to the Iraqi judiciary.
Mr Tasker said in a statement: “Jim often brought home small souvenirs from his travels to remember the trip and share his experiences with us.
“For him, it was no more important than bringing home a small stone from the beach to remember a special family holiday. It is generally accepted that items are priceless.
This is the crime that now leads my father-in-law to face a potential death sentence under section 41 of the Iraqi Artifacts Act 55 of 2002.
Mr Tasker said Mr Fitton and a German man from the trip had been arrested after the group’s luggage was checked in at the airport, claiming that 12 pieces of his luggage had been retrieved.
The incident happened on March 20 and a serious illness of the group’s guide was reported.
Mr Tasker is part of Mrs Hobhouse, who raised the case in the House of Commons and called on ministers to answer the “incredibly serious” question.
“The situation around Jim Fitton and his German counterpart is deeply worrying and my thoughts are with them and their families during this difficult time. It is impossible to imagine the anxiety and worry that Jim and his family are going through, “she said.
“From the conversation with Jim’s family, it is clear that he would not have deliberately disregarded or appropriated the region’s rich and fascinating culture.
“I wrote to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, contacted the consulate’s support services and contacted the minister’s office directly, but so far the answer has been disappointing.
“Jim’s lawyer advised that the intervention of the British government would change this case. That is why I call on the government to intervene to make Jim’s release more likely.
“I am committed to doing my best to work with the government to secure the release of Jim, who was so suspiciously detained in Iraq. Jim and his German counterpart must be safely returned home to their families.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the British Community and Development said: “We provide consular support to a British citizen in Iraq and are in contact with local authorities.
Foreign Secretary Amanda Milling said in a letter to Ms Hobhouse on Thursday: “We understand the urgency of the case and have already expressed concern to the Iraqi authorities about the possible imposition of the death penalty in the case of Mr Fitton and the United Kingdom opposition to the death penalty. punishment in all circumstances in principle. “
Additional reports from the Press Association
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