Family’s joy as Scot held in Iraq prison over Qatar bank debt is released

A FIFE man who was held in an Iraqi prison over a bank debt has been freed, according to the human rights organisation which has been campaigning for his release.

Brian Glendinning, a 43-year-old construction worker from Kincardine, above right, was a contractor at a BP oil refinery in Iraq but, on September 12, was arrested on an Interpol red notice at Basra Airport over a debt owed to the Qatari National Bank (QNB).

Speaking yesterday, Radha Stirling, founder of the Interpol and Extradition Reform initiative (Ipex), said she was “thrilled” to announce he had been freed. She added: “Mr Glendinning’s lawyer, Tahseen Alchaabawi, gave us the good news this morning. It was an emotional moment for his family.”

Ms Stirling said Mr Glendinning’s family was arranging flights for him and it was hoped he could be home within days.

However, she also stressed Qatar had not confirmed if the Interpol red notice had been removed, so there was still a risk Mr Glendinning could be arrested en route back to Scotland.

A class action lawsuit will now be launched against Interpol for what Ipex says is a “consistent and repetitive” abuse of power.

Ms Stirling added: “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.”

Mr Glendinning’s family said he had faced “vile” conditions in the Iraqi prison. His brother John added: “I’ve seen a photo of him with a beer and I’m so happy he’s free.”

A Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office spokesman confirmed it was providing consular support to Mr Glendinning.