A Fife grandad has opened up about horrific conditions he is facing in an Iraq jail.
Brian Glendinning, from Kincardine, has spent five weeks in a rat and bug infested Baghdad holding cell after being arrested while entering the country.
His arrest was due to an Interpol “red notice” issued by Qatar after he failed to repay a loan he took while working in Doha six years ago.
The 43-year-old had been attempting to pay the loan back, however he was unable to keep up with the repayments after losing his job in 2017.
He faces extradition to Qatar and a two-year prison sentence.
Fife man opens up about life in Iraq jail for the first time
The father-of-three has now revealed the conditions he is living in, during a recent phone call with his wife, Kimberly, and younger brother John.
The recorded call, shared with The Courier, hears Brian describe the squalid cell he is sharing with 40 others, including men accused of murder.
He says he has to sleep on a soiled mattress and use a dirty toilet and shower, which has given him sores.
He told his wife: “Where I am being held just now in Iraq – the conditions are terrible.
“It’s rat-infested, bug-ridden. Soiled mattresses I’m sleeping on.
“There’s no warm water.”
‘I’m in beside people who have murdered family members’
Brian has spent five weeks in the holding cell while awaiting a trail to decide if he is extradited.
He says he’s sharing his 12-person cell with more than 40 other men, some of whom have been charged with murder.
Brian has to pay for every meal he eats and phone call he makes.
He also has to drink from water bottles stored in the jail’s toilet.
He added: “The noise, there’s people up all night.
“You can’t sleep, you’re sharing bedding.
“It’s mentally draining. I can’t speak the language and I’m isolated.
“I’m in beside people who have murdered family members and all sorts.
“There’s people in here you would never associate with back home.”
Family appeal for Brian’s return home
Brian’s family are fighting for the construction coordinator to be brought home.
They have launched a GoFundMe page to help with their legal fees, which have so far amounted to more than £30,000.
They’re also asking people to boycott the upcoming Qatar World Cup, and have asked people to spread the hashtag #FreeBrianQatar22.
Brother John said: “I’m just gutted.
“The mats they’re given to sleep on are completely covered in bugs.
“Between the sores from the shower and being completely bitten by insects, I’m worried he’s going to get an infection.
“It’s the hardest phone call I’ve had with Brian since this started.”
Kimberly said: “I’m quite shocked.
“Even having to pay for food, he’s really hungry.
“He’s only eating bread and water.
“It’s quite sad to hear.
“He just really needs as much help as he can get.”
The Interior Ministry of Iraq has been contacted for comment about the conditions.
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