The Latest Breaking News from Sam Tasker

Briton leaves Iraq after antiquities conviction quashed

A retired British geologist jailed in Iraq for antiquities smuggling has been freed and has left the country

The Independent UK · Jul 31, 2022

Briton Leaves Iraq after Antiquities Conviction Quashed

A retired British geologist jailed in Iraq for antiquities smuggling has been freed and has left the country, his family said Sunday. Jim Fitton, 66, was sentenced in June to 15 years in an Iraqi prison. A Baghdad appeals court overturned the conviction and last week ordered his release. Fitton…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jul 31, 2022

Family of geologist freed from Iraq thank ‘kindness of strangers’ for his return

Jim Fitton, 66, was arrested on March 20 and jailed for 15 years for collecting stones and shards of pottery as souvenirs.

The Independent UK · Jul 31, 2022

Jim Fitton: Safety fears mount for geologist jailed in Iraq as Truss is urged to intervene

The 66-year-old is being moved to a general population prison earlier than expected

Evening Standard · Jun 9, 2022

Safety fears mount for geologist jailed in Iraq as Truss is urged to intervene

Jim Fitton, 66, is being moved to a general population prison earlier than expected.

The Independent UK · Jun 9, 2022

Government 'fell asleep at wheel' as Brit dad jailed in Iraq over 'worthless' stones

Dad-of-two Jim Fitton, 66, was sentenced to 15 years in prison by a Baghdad court in Iraq on Monday for trying to leave the country with "ancient fragments" and his family are due to appeal the ruling

Daily Mirror · Jun 9, 2022

Family of retired British geologist Jim Fitton ‘broken’ as he’s jailed in Iraq

The daughter of a retired British geologist sentenced to 15 years in an Iraqi jail over smuggling allegations has now said she feels “helpless”.

Evening Standard · Jun 7, 2022

Jim Fitton: Family of retired British geologist jailed in Iraq vow to fight for his freedom

Jim Fitton was sentenced to 15 years in prison at a court in Baghdad on Monday

Evening Standard · Jun 6, 2022

Family of retired British geologist jailed in Iraq vow to fight for his freedom

Jim Fitton was sentenced to 15 years in prison at a court in Baghdad on Monday.

The Independent UK · Jun 6, 2022

A Tourist’s Nightmare: British Geologist To Be Tried In Iraqi Court Over Broken Shards Of Pottery

The family of a Brit facing the death penalty in Iraq for collecting “souvenirs” during a geology tour say they are “incredibly worried” ahead of his next trial taking place on May 22.

Zenger · May 24, 2022