Shkoi Kurdistan-
A retired British geologist has been jailed for 15 years for attempting to remove artefacts from Iraq.
Jim Fitton, 66, who is originally from Bath, collected 12 stones and shards of broken pottery during a recent geology and archaeology tour of the country.
Mr Fitton has insisted he had no idea he was breaking Iraqi laws.
The family of Mr Fitton said they were “absolutely shattered” and “heartbroken” by the news. They urged the government to help free him.
“For a man of Jim’s age, 15 years in an Iraqi prison is tantamount to a death sentence,” the family added.
“Particularly for such a trivial and dubious crime, a crime Jim was not even aware of when he perpetrated it.
“We are raising an appeal and will continue to fight for Jim’s freedom, and urge the government to support us in every way possible and to open lines of communication with us at a senior level.”
