In Iraq, British man gets 15 years over smuggling artifacts

By SAMYA KULLAB
Associated Press

BAGHDAD (AP) — An Iraqi court has sentenced a British citizen to 15 years in prison after being convicted of smuggling artifacts out of the country. The verdict handed down on Monday to 66-year-old retired geologist Jim Fitton shocked the court in Baghdad, including his defense attorney. A German national tried with Fitton was found not to have had criminal intent in the case and will be released. Fitton’s lawyer said he would appeal. He said he thought “the worst case scenario would be one year, with suspension.” He and his family have argued that the 66-year-old Fitton had no criminal intent.