A Scottish engineer who was held in an Iraqi jail dealing with extradition to Qatar over a financial institution debt has been launched, in line with a human rights charity that had been campaigning for his freedom.
Brian Glendinning, 43, who had been contracted to work at a BP oil refinery in Iraq, was arrested on an Interpol purple discover at Baghdad airport on 12 September.
Glendinning, from Kincardine in Fife, was knowledgeable on arrest that the Interpol discover had been issued by Qatar over an alleged debt owed to the Qatari Nationwide Financial institution.
Radha Stirling, founding father of the Interpol and Extradition Reform (Ipex) initiative, stated Glendinning’s household are presently arranging flights and it’s hoped he could possibly be dwelling as quickly as Monday night time.
“Mr Glendinning’s lawyer Tahseen Alchaabawi gave us the excellent news this morning. It was an emotional second for his household and I couldn’t be happier for the Glendinnings,” she stated.
Nevertheless, Stirling stated Qatar had not confirmed if the Interpol purple discover had been eliminated, so there might nonetheless be a danger that the 43-year-old could possibly be arrested en route again to Scotland.
Stirling beforehand stated Qatar had a historical past of abusing the Interpol system and that using a purple discover in Glendinning’s case must be taken as a warning to soccer followers travelling to the nation for the World Cup this month.
Glendinning’s brother John stated he had lived in “vile” situations within the Iraqi jail and his beard had grown as “there was solely a single communal shaver within the jail and he wasn’t going to make use of that.”
He added: “He’s within the resort. I’ve seen a photograph of him with a beer and I’m so joyful he’s free.
“It was actually emotional for the household. Even our father teared up and he by no means cries. Kimberly (Brian Glendinning‘s companion), the kids, they’ll breathe once more. Now it’s simply hours till they’re collectively.”
A category motion lawsuit will now be launched in opposition to Interpol for what Ipex says is a “constant and repetitive” abuse of energy, Stirling stated.
She added: “Iraq was furnished with proof from Qatar Nationwide Financial institution final week to show the extradition was over financial institution debt.
“Client debt doesn’t meet the factors for extradition, however it was extremely probably Iraq would have succumbed to strain from Qatar and handed him over anyway.
“Brian is free resulting from a mix of lobbying and media efforts, negotiating and settling the debt with QNB and powerful diplomatic representations.”
A spokesperson for the International and Commonwealth Improvement workplace confirmed it was offering consular help to Glendinning.