Freed geologist’s family tell of joy after hell in Iraq

JAILED British geologist Jim Fitton was celebrating freedom last night after 130 days in an Iraqi prison for collecting shards of pottery.

- James Murray

The 66-year-old looked thin and dazed but otherwise healthy as the family got to hug Jim at a reunion in Malaysia.

The family said it was a joy to have Jim back again but his son-in-law Sam Tasker admitted: “He is a bit overwhelmed.”

Jim lost at least 14lb during his ordeal, with Malaysian wife Sarijah fearing at one point he could have Covid in a Baghdad jail, where temperatures hit almost 122F (50C).

Nightmare

His 15-year sentence was overturned on appeal last week and he flew at the weekend to Kuala Lumpur to meet up with Sarijah, son Joshua, daughter Leila and her husband Sam.