Scotsman imprisoned in Iraq over Qatar debt flies home after being released

A SCOT who was reportedly held in an Iraqi prison over a bank debt will arrive home today after being freed by the authorities.

Brian Glendinning, 43, will fly into Edinburgh Airport at about 5.25pm and will be greeted by his family and friends.

The father of three, who had been working at an oil refinery in Iraq, was arrested on an Interpol red notice at Baghdad airport on September 12 over an alleged debt owed to the Qatar National Bank.

Radha Stirling, founder of the Interpol and Extradition Reform (Ipex) initiative, the organisation which has been campaigning for Mr Glendinning’s release, said he was “relieved and excited” to be coming home.

“Brian will be flying out from Iraq tonight. He is relieved and excited to be coming home, and will be met at the airport in an emotional reunion,” she said.

“After intense diplomatic efforts, Brian will make it home before the World Cup, but this is hardly a victory when this should never have happened.

“He was wrongfully detained on the basis of a Qatar National Bank issued Interpol Red Notice which violated Interpol’s charter.

“The excruciating resulting trauma has not been compensated.

“Qatar has issued no apology and nor have they been penalised by Interpol.

“In fact, Qatar has been rewarded for abusing Interpol’s Red Notice system.

“The British government can do more to prevent the wrongful arrest of citizens abroad.”

Ms Stirling said Qatar had not confirmed if the Interpol red notice had been removed, so there could still be a risk that Mr Glendinning could be arrested on his way back to Scotland.

Ms Stirling said Mr Glendinning was joining a class-action lawsuit will to be launched against Interpol for what Ipex says is “consistent and repetitive” abuse of power.

Ms Stirling said Mr Glendinning was now free due to a “combination of lobbying and media efforts”.