A Scots dad who was jailed in Iraq has been released from prison, with his family hopeful that they will be reunited within days.
Brian Glendinning, 43, spent over two months in a Baghdad prison after he was detained in Basra International Airport on September 4. The construction engineer was held over an Interpol Red Notice issued by Qatar National Bank (QNB) after he failed to pay back a £20,000 loan he had taken out with the bank in 2016.
Brain, from Kincardine, Fife, issued a desperate plea to Rishi Sunak just days ago as he worried for his life.
Last week, the QNB issued a clearance note stamped by Qatar authorities saying they no longer wanted the father-of-three extradited but it was not immediately communicated to the Iraqi authorities, leaving Brian trapped in prison alongside terrorists.
IPEX Reform founder Radha Stirling confirmed this evening that Brain had been released from prison on Sunday morning and was currently in a secure hotel after being collected by embassy staff. His relieved family are now organising flights to bring him home and hope he could be back in Scotland within days.
However, Qatar has yet to confirm they have removed the Interpol Red Notice so there is still risk that Brain could be re-arrested during the journey home. Radha said: "I am thrilled to announce that British construction engineer Brian Glendinning has been released from Baghdad jail today.
“Brian’s lawyer Tahseen Alchaabawi gave us the good news this morning. It was an emotional moment for his family and I couldn’t be happier for the Glendinnings.
“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.
“Qatar has not confirmed that they have removed the Interpol Red Notice so there is an element of risk that 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”.
Brian was due to start work as a construction engineer when he flew into Iraq on September 4 but when he attempted to pass through border control he was cuffed and taken to a holding cell. He soon discovered there had been an Interpol Red Notice from Qatar issued over an unpaid £20,000 loan he had taken out with Qatar National bank in 2016.
His devastated family immediately started campaigning for his release and protested outside of Holyrood as they highlighted the shocking conditions he was living in. Douglas Chapman, MP also made efforts to pressure to UK government to use diplomatic channels to free Brian.
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