A Fife grandad is facing two years in a Qatar prison after being arrested in Iraq over an unpaid bank loan.
Brian Glendinning, 43, was arrested at Basra Airport on September 12 as he attempted to enter the country to work a new job with BP.
He was told that the nation of Qatar had issued an Interpol Red Notice for his arrest – something he was not aware of.
Kincardine resident taken to Iraqi capital for trial
The arrest warrant was put in after the Kincardine resident failed to make the payments on a loan he took from the Qatar National Bank while working in the country six years ago.
Brian had been attempting to pay back the loan – which his family believe to have been valued at roughly £20,000 – however after falling ill and losing his job in 2017 he was unable to keep up with the repayments.
Following his arrest in Basra, the construction engineer – who has a wife, three children and a grandchild – was taken to a jail in the capital of Baghdad.
He is now awaiting a trail to decide if he will be extradited.
Fifer faces two years in Qatar prison after being arrested in Iraq
His case has already been through the Qatari court system in his absence, and if he is extradited to the country he faces a two-year sentence.
After serving his time, he will still have to repay the loan – along with any interest accrued during his stay in prison.
Brian’s brother, John, fears that he wouldn’t be allowed to leave the country until the money is paid back, something that could prove difficult without a work permit.
The news has come as a shocking blow to Brian’s family, who feel the arrest is unjust.
‘Brian hasn’t committed a crime anywhere’
John said: “My brother hasn’t committed a crime anywhere.
“Yes, he still owes money on a loan and, yes, that money should be paid. Nobody is denying that.
“In Qatar these salesmen come around and encourage you to take a loan and Brian, like many Westerners, did.
“I don’t know what he took it for, but what I do know is that he was making his monthly payments and paying it off.
“Unfortunately, during one of his trips home Brian became unwell.
“He was put on sick pay and even from his sick pay he continued to pay the loan.
“After I think about eight weeks he couldn’t return to work and had his contract terminated.
“When you take out a loan in Qatar they ask you to sign a cheque for the amount being borrowed, they say it’s part of the procedure.
“When you default on the loan they cash that cheque knowing it’s going to bounce and then they report you for fraud.”
Brother sold car to pay for legal fees
The family have also been left facing massive legal fees, and are having to grapple with the foreign court system.
John has already sold his car to pay for the legal battle, and has set up a GoFundMe to try and raise more money.
He said: “It’s been horrendous.
“I’m with Brian’s family daily. His wife, Kimberly, doesn’t sleep.
“She’s used to her husband working away, but this isn’t working away – he’s in prison.
“She’s worried constantly about how he is, what’s going through his mind.
“It’s just a nightmare.
“He’s getting treated like a crime lord. It’s absolutely insane.”
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “We are providing support to a British man who has been arrested in Iraq and are in touch with the local authorities.”
