Briton, German on Trial in Iraq over Pottery Shards

Civilization in Iraq dates back thousands of years but the country's rich heritage has suffered from decades of looting and war. (AFP)

A Briton and a German allegedly found with ancient pottery shards in their luggage told the start of their trial Sunday in Iraq that they had no intention of breaking the law.

James Fitton, 66, a retired British geologist, and Volker Waldmann, 60, a Berlin psychologist, appeared dressed in the yellow uniform of detainees for the two-hour hearing at a Baghdad criminal court.