Daughter of Briton facing death penalty in Iraq ‘heartbroken and afraid’ as father misses wedding

The daughter of a retired British geologist going through the demise penalty in Iraq has said she was “heartbroken and afraid” as her father remained in detention for her marriage day.

Leila Fitton was hoping that members of her household who are living overseas – which include her dad and mom – would be able to celebrate her relationship on Sunday right after they missed a Uk ceremony simply because of the Covid pandemic.

But even with appeals, her father Jim Fitton continues to be in detention with the risk of execution hanging around him.

The 66-calendar year-outdated has been accused of trying to smuggle historical artefacts out of Iraq, the place he experienced been on a geology and archaeology tour. He was arrested at an airport earlier this calendar year when he was located to be carrying stones and shards of broken pottery that he experienced picked up on a historic internet site go to soon after remaining confident they had no price, in accordance to his family members.

He is now awaiting demo. The statutory punishment for the crime he is accused of is execution, his relatives stated in a petition – signed by much more than 120,000 people today – that phone calls on the British isles governing administration to aid facilitate his release.

On Sunday, Ms Fitton said: “It breaks my heart that my father, Jim, is not right here. The uncertainty of his condition and the terrible, but pretty genuine, likelihood of the death penalty is hanging above us.”

She added: “This is intended to be the best working day of our life, but as a substitute we locate ourselves heartbroken and concerned about what could transpire to my father if the Foreign Office doesn’t step up to assist him.”

Her partner, Sam Tasker, previously instructed The Impartial that the loved ones felt “completely abandoned” by the Overseas Place of work as the retired geologist’s demo – anticipated to just take spot from up coming 7 days – approached.

Mr Fitton’s son-in-legislation said it was a “cautionary tale” for British citizens abroad not to hope the office “to help you save you if you get into trouble exterior of your control”.

The International Office says it opposes the death penalty but can’t interfere in the authorized methods of other nations around the world.

Ms Fitton, who life in the Uk, claimed: “We are hopeful that the aid that we have been given will be recognised by the International Business office and that they will move in so that Jim can occur property for a belated celebration soon.”

A International, Commonwealth and Enhancement Office environment spokesperson mentioned: “We are giving consular aid to a British countrywide in Iraq and are in get in touch with with the local authorities. The British government’s policy on the dying penalty is apparent: we oppose it in all conditions, as a make any difference of theory.”