A Fife grandad who’s spent two months in an Iraqi jail says he’s “losing his mind” as he pleads for Rishi Sunak to help bring him home.
Brian Glendinning, 43, has been locked up since he was arrested at the airport in September.
He was detained after the nation of Qatar put out an Interpol Red Notice for his arrest over unpaid debts.
After months of campaigning by Brian’s family, a third party has come forward and settled the debt – however he’s still not been freed from his Baghdad holding cell.
Fife grandad ‘begging Rishi Sunak’ to act
According to Detained in Dubai – a charity which helps foreigners arrested in the Middle East – Brian still needs the UK government to push through the final stages of his return home.
The Kincardine resident says he’s “losing his mind” in the Iraqi prison.
Speaking from a crowded and rat-infested cell which he reportedly shares with members of the Taliban, Brian said: “We have done everything we can to sort out this mess.
“The bank has cleared me and no longer wants me extradited but authorities are not communicating.
“This has been the most traumatic experience of my entire life.
“My health is failing and I’m losing my mind. I can’t go on like this.
“I am begging Rishi Sunak and James Cleverly to just get the countries to communicate.”
‘I’m worried for my life every moment I’m here’
Brian is struggling with the poor conditions of his cell, where he is forced to sleep on unclean bedding and shower with dirty water.
He said: “It’s just bureaucracy now but this is my life, my every moment is painful. I’m struggling to survive and I’m worried for my life every moment I’m here.
“The conditions here are hard. I’m not in a minimum security prison with white collar criminals.
“This is Iraq and the only reason I took a job here was to provide for my family and repay Qatar bank.
“It’s not just hard for me. It’s my whole family, we are in tears every day.”
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister deferred to the Foreign, Commonwealth
and Development Office (FCDO) for comment.
A spokesperson for the FCDO said: “We are providing support to a British man who has been arrested in Iraq and are in touch with the local authorities.”
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