Retired geologist 'to be freed from Iraqi jail'
Jim Fitton was jailed for fifteen years on charges of attempted theft of antiquities
The family of a retired British geologist who was jailed in Iraq say they're 'over the moon' to hear he could be released.
Jim Fitton was told he could face the death penalty for picking up shards of pottery he believed were worthless on an organised tour.
He was jailed for fifteen years - but his son-in-law, who lives in Bath, says the conviction's been quashed, and he could be home by the end of the week.
Sam Tasker said in a statement: "For the first time since March 20th, Leila, Josh, Sarijah and I are smiling without irony.
"We were informed this morning that the appeals court has decided to quash the verdict of the Felony Court, to fully recognise Jim's innocence in this case, and to process his immediate release from a 15-year prison sentence in Baghdad.
"We understand that this process is under way - he is still in prison this evening but will soon be released.
"We will not be doing any press interviews or elaborating at all about the situation until he is home, as we don't want to inflame the wrong groups or put him at any risk.
"Once he is home, we will celebrate and take some time to recover as a family, and will be happy to tell the story to anyone who will listen."