Family of Fife dad detained in Iraq jail vows to ‘never give up’ until he’s home

Brother of Fife man in jail vows to keep fighting to free him

The brother of a Fife dad who is detained in an Iraq jail has vowed never to give up on bringing him home and reuniting him with his wife and children.

Dad-of-three Brian Glendinning, from Kincardine, was travelling to Basra to start a new job with BP on September 4 when he was arrested over a bank loan. The construction engineer, 43, has been in prison since and faces extradition to Qatar to serve a two-year prison sentence over the Qatar National Bank (QNB) debt, despite making repayments.

His brother John who has been tirelessly campaigning for his release took to social media on Wednesday to thank the kind public for support and said “My family and l will forever be in your debt.” It comes as a fundraiser set up by John to pay for lawyers has topped £30,300 of it’s £40,000 target. Brian is believed to have taken out a loan when he was living in the middle east in 2016 because of the low-interest rates.

Brian with his son Bailey, with daughters Heidi and Lexi and wife Kimberly

John is furious that the family has not heard from anyone in the UK Government, despite Brian’s plight being widely reported in the media and staging a protest at the ScottishParliament on October 27. Brian’s loved ones are worried about his physical and mental health after campaigners warned the engineer could be in danger after reports he’s locked up with ‘violent militants charged with terrorism’.

Meanwhile, Interpol & extradition crisis campaigners are helping the family to appeal for Brian but the process of getting his red Notice deleted could take months. John said the family are determined to fight for his release and will continue to pile the pressure on the UK Government to intervene. He said on Facebook: “If it wasn't for the determination from family friends and the many supporters we have had since Brian’s nightmare started we would be lost and looking at huge loans and borrowing on a scale that none of us could afford.”

"We will not stop until we have him back home with his beautiful wife and kids. I was just wanting to say a huge thank you to everyone so far from myself and my family, sending love to you all. The kindness and support will live with me forever.”