A Scottish dad detained in Iraq last month has now been freed and is due to reunite with his family 'within hours.'
Brian Glendinning, from Fife had been detained in Iraq after arriving in the Middle East to work, only to be taken to prison over an 'Interpol Red Notice' that had been issued from Qatar.
Taken to a holding cell by the authorities, the 43-year-old was told the notice had been issued over a "small debt", which could have seen him facing an international arrest and extradition trial.
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However, the dad-of-three has now been confirmed by his lawyer to have been released from Baghdad jail on Sunday, November 13, following the terrifying ordeal.
Now in a secure hotel accompanied by embassy staff, Brian will wait to be reunited with his family who are arranging flights to have him home early next week.
Speaking about the release, IPEX reform founder Rahda Stirling 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”.
John Glendinning told Stirling “Brian’s beard has grown. There was only a singly communal shaver in the jail and he wasn’t going to use that. He’s in the hotel. I’ve seen a photo of him with a beer and I’m so happy he's free. It was really emotional for the family. Even our father teared up and he never cries. Kimberly, the children, they can breathe again. Now it’s just hours until they are together.”
Stirling added “we are all extremely grateful to all of those who rallied together to support Brian. Hundreds of people donated to his GoFundMe to help with legal bills and attended a demonstration outside Parliament. Douglas Chapman, MP has made every effort to pressure the UK government to use diplomatic channels to free Brian and we thank him and members of the British government and embassy for their assistance.”
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