British man found with ancient shards could be tried in Iraq

By SAMYA KULLAB
Associated Press

BAGHDAD (AP) — The family of a British citizen who could face trial in Iraq after being found in possession of small archaeological fragments is insisting he had no criminal intent. Retired geologist Jim Fitton could potentially face the death penalty. Fitton, 66, was arrested last month at Baghdad airport after Iraqi customs officials found him and a German citizen in possession of pottery fragments taken from an ancient site in southern Iraq. The German citizen has not been identified and his status was not immediately clear. Fitton was charged based on the country’s opaque antiquities laws and could theoretically face the death penalty if found guilty. However, officials and legal representatives familiar with the case say that’s unlikely to happen.