A Scots man jailed in Iraq has issued a desperate plea to Rishi Sunak to help bring him home after he was detained over a £20,000 debt to a Qatar bank. Brian Glendinning, 43, has been held over an Interpol Red Notice issued by Qatar National Bank (QNB) after he was arrested in Basra International Airport on September 4.
The QNB has since issued a clearance note stamped by Qatar authorities and no longer wants the father-of-three extradited but this has not been communicated to Iraqi authorities. Brian will be held until Iraq receives a diplomatic note from Qatar.
Brian, from Kincardine, Fife, said he is worried for his life as the traumatic experience takes its toll on his health. He is begging the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to intervene and help bring him home to his worried family as the debt has now been paid.
He said: “We have done everything we can to sort out this mess. The bank has cleared me and no longer wants me extradited but authorities are not communicating.
"This has been the most traumatic experience of my entire life. My health is failing and I’m losing my mind. I can’t go on like this.
"I am begging Rishi Sunak and James Cleverly to just get the countries to communicate. It’s just bureaucracy now but this is my life, my every moment is painful.
"I’m struggling to survive and I’m worried for my life every moment I'm here. The conditions here are hard. I’m not in a minimum security prison with white collar criminals. This is Iraq and the only reason I took a job here was to provide for my family and repay Qatar bank.
“It’s not just hard for me. It’s my whole family, we are in tears every day. Please, please help us."
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.
MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, Douglas Chapman met with Qatar’s Ambassador this week who advised he would raise the issue with the Qatari government. In a letter hand delivered to His Excellency Mr. Yousef Ali Al-Khater, Douglas explained that the issue had been settled with QNB.
The local MP has requested Qatar expedite sending a diplomatic note to Iraq to release him without further complication after QNB agreed to withdraw the police case and extradition request.
However, Brian’s brother John Glendinning said the silence from the British Government was "deafening". He said: "We were told the British government would help push this through to the final stages but now we’ve been told the British government doesn’t get involved, we’ve heard nothing and the silence is deafening.
"We are only asking for a simple communication to Iraq to tell them to close the case. This would be sufficient for Brian to be released immediately and come home.”
Devastated wife Kimberly added: “It’s disheartening having to tell Brian every day to just hang in there again. It’s not right. He’s being treated like he is nothing. I just don’t see how our government can welcome and encourage Qatar but not bother to help in a situation like this that is clearly wrong. He’s paid the bank. The bank doesn’t want him in prison anymore. What would it take for Qatar to show they actually care for people?”
Radha Stirling, founder of Due Process International has also called for the British government to stand up for human rights and use diplomatic channels to get Brian home.
She said: "The family are going through hell right now and we are calling on the respective governments to put an end to Brian’s detention.
"He’s spent two months in a Baghdad jail, has paid his debt and nobody seems to care that he’s still languishing there as the world cup approaches?
"It’s absolutely time for James Cleverly and Rishi Sunak to use their diplomatic channels to push this final stage through and get Brian home. Nobody should be detained and treated like garbage over small bank debts.”
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said: “We are providing support to a British man who has been arrested in Iraq and are in touch with the local authorities.”
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