The Latest Breaking News from Volker Waldmann

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

Briton jailed in Iraq for smuggling antiquities to be freed, says lawyer

Family of retired geologist Jim Fitton, 66, ‘over the moon’ after court quashes 15-year jail sentence

The Guardian - UK · Jul 26, 2022

Iraq to Free Briton Jailed in Antiquities Case, Says Lawyer

An Iraqi court has overturned the conviction and 15-year sentence handed to a British pensioner last month for antiquities smuggling, the retiree's lawyer said Tuesday. The conviction of James Fitton has been "overturned today by the Court of Cassation and my client will soon be free", lawyer Thaer Saoud told…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jul 26, 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

Iraq: British Man Gets 15 Years over Smuggling Artifacts

A British citizen was sentenced Monday by an Iraqi court to 15 years in prison on charges of smuggling artifacts out of the country, in a case that has attracted international attention. The verdict handed down to retired geologist Jim Fitton, shocked the court in Baghdad, including his defense attorney.

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jun 6, 2022

Iraq Trial of Briton and German for Antiquity Theft Adjourned

An Iraqi court on Sunday adjourned for two weeks the trial of a Briton and a German man accused of trying to smuggle antiquities after a defense lawyer called for more investigations. James Fitton, 66, a retired British geologist, and Volker Waldmann, 60, a Berlin psychologist, have been in custody…

Asharq Al-Awsat · May 23, 2022

British man faces further two-week wait as Iraqi court postpones smuggling case

Retired geologist Jim Fitton has been accused of trying to take artefacts out of the country.

The Independent UK · May 22, 2022

Briton facing death penalty in Iraq for 'smuggling' ancient pottery

Retired geologist says he had no idea he was breaking Iraqi laws

Wales Online · May 16, 2022