Jim Feton is due to stand trial in May on charges of attempting to smuggle historical artifacts out of the country, they said. The 66-year-old had picked up broken pottery – after being assured they had no value – on a visit to a historic site, according to a report 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 a tour of geology and archeology in Iraq earlier this year. “The legal punishment for his alleged crime is execution,” his family said. Wera Hobhouse, a Liberal Democrat representing the family in Bath, said Mr Fitton’s case was “deeply worrying” and urged the British government to intervene. Retired British geologist Jim Fitton with his wife Sarijah Fitton and daughter Leila Fitton (PA) The children of the detained British man – Joshua and Leila – and Leila’s husband, Sam Tasker, have started the application asking for the same. “During the tour, our father visited historic sites around Iraq, where his tour team found fragments of stones and broken pottery in piles on the ground,” he said. “These fragments were in the open, unattended and without warning signs for removal. Jim Fitton with his family (Is provided) “Tour leaders also collected the fragments as souvenirs at the Eridu site. The members of the tour said that this would not be a problem, as the broken fragments had no economic or historical value “. He added: “We believe that our father can be tried in the week leading up to May 8, after Eid in Iraq. “We have days to save him before sentencing and we need the Foreign Office to help by intervening in his case now. “Our lawyer has drafted a motion to dismiss the case and return our father immediately, which requires the support of the Foreign Ministry to be submitted to the Iraqi judiciary.” Mr. Tasker, in a statement, explained: “Jim often brought home small souvenirs from his travels to remember the trip and share his experiences with us. “For him, this was no more important than bringing home a small stone from the beach to remember a special family vacation. Evidence is widely accepted as having no value. “This is an offense that now sees my father-in-law facing a possible death sentence under Article 41 of the Iraqi Consumer Protection Act No. 55, 2002.” Mr Tasker said Fitton and a German on the trip were arrested after checking the team’s luggage at the airport, with 12 fragments said to have been recovered from his luggage. The incident occurred on March 20 and a serious illness was also reported to the team guide. Mr Tasker is a member of Mrs Hobhouse, who has raised the issue in the House of Commons and urged 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’s impossible to imagine the worry and anxiety that Jim and his family are going through,” he said. “It is clear from talking to Jim’s family that they would not deliberately respect or appropriate the rich and fascinating culture of the area. “I have written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, contacted the support services of the consulate and contacted the minister’s office directly, but so far the response has been disappointing. “Jim’s lawyer has said that the intervention of the British government will make a difference in this case. That’s why I urge the government to intervene to make Jim’s release more likely. “I pledge to do all I can to work with the government to secure the release of Jim, who has been held in so high custody in Iraq. “Jim and his German counterpart must be safely returned to their families.” A spokesman for the Office of Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth and Development said: “We are providing consular assistance to a British national in Iraq and we are in contact with local authorities.” Secretary of State Amanda Milling said in a letter to Ms Hobhouse on Thursday: United Kingdom. the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle “. Additional report from the Press Association
