Return of Scot held in Iraqi jail over Qatar bank ‘debt’ is delayed
Brian Glendinning was expected to return to Scotland on Friday evening, but will now arrive on Saturday morning.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Scottish man who was reportedly held in an Iraqi prison over a bank debt will arrive back in Scotland on Saturday morning.
The PA news agency understands that Brian Glendinning, 43, from Kincardine, Fife, will arrive at Edinburgh Airport at about 8.30am and will be greeted by family and friends.
He was initially due to return on Friday evening, but his flight was cancelled and his return delayed.
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.
Qatar has issued no apology and nor have they been penalised by Interpol
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 has not confirmed if the Interpol red notice has been removed, so there was a risk that Mr Glendinning could be arrested on his way back to Scotland.
She said Mr Glendinning was joining a class-action lawsuit to be launched against Interpol for what Ipex says is “consistent and repetitive” abuse of power.
She said Mr Glendinning was free due to a “combination of lobbying and media efforts”.
Mr Glendinning’s brother, John, said he had lived in “vile” conditions in the Iraqi prison, adding: “Brian’s beard has grown. There was only a single communal shaver in the jail and he wasn’t going to use that.
“He’s in the hotel. I’ve seen a photo of him with a beer and I’m so happy he’s free.
“It was really emotional for the family. Even our father teared up and he never cries. Kimberly (Brian Glendinning’s partner), the children, they can breathe again. Now it’s just hours until they are together.”