The brother of a Scots man jailed in Iraq said he 'cried tears of joy' after finding out his prison 'nightmare' had ended.
Brian Glendinning, 43, was locked up in a Baghdad jail for 70 days after being arrested in Basra International Airport on September 4. The dad-of-three, from Kincardine, Fife, was being held over a £20,000 debt to Qatar National Bank.
He was due to start work as a construction engineer, however when he attempted to pass through border control he was cuffed and taken to a holding cell.
Brian's family have campaigned tirelessly for his release over the last few months, with a third party even coming forward to pay off his unpaid loan.
Last week, the QNB issued a clearance note stamped by Qatar authorities saying they no longer wanted Brian extradited but it was not immediately communicated to the Iraqi authorities, leaving Brian trapped in prison alongside terrorists.
Brian's brother John Glendinning told the Daily Record he received a surprise phone call from his lawyer this morning to say he was being freed.
He added: "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."
John said they hope to have Brian home in Scotland over the next few days. He added: "There is a few things to sort out before he can fly, but hopefully he'll be back with us soon."
Radha Stirling, founder of Due Process International, who has been helping the Glendinning's said Qatar has not yet confirmed that Qatar have removed the Interpol Red Notice issued against Brian, so they fear he could be re-arrested when he attempts to fly home.
Radha added: “Brian has been collected by embassy staff and taken to a secure hotel where he will stay tonight. His family are arranging flights and hope he could be home as soon as tomorrow night or Wednesday.
"There is an element of risk Brian could be re-arrested en route to Scotland. This would be disastrous for Qatar and for Interpol.
“I will be taking a full statement from Brian when he returns to Scotland for use in a class action against Interpol for its consistent and repetitive abuse of power.
“Iraq was furnished with evidence from Qatar National Bank last week to prove the extradition was over bank debt. Consumer debt does not meet the criteria for extradition, but it was highly likely Iraq would have succumbed to pressure from Qatar and handed him over anyway.
“Brian is free due to a combination of lobbying and media efforts, negotiating and settling the debt with QNB and strong diplomatic representations. We are proud to have successfully resolved another case of Interpol abuse. On a personal note, I will now always remember my birthday as the day Brian was freed. This was the best present I could have hoped for”.
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