The daughter of a retired British geologist who is still detained after allegedly attempting to transport rare relics out of Iraq has expressed her “heartbreak and fear” that her father, who missed her wedding due to the uproar, may face the death penalty.

Leila Fitton’s wedding was postponed due to the COVID-19 epidemic, and she was expecting that her family, including those who reside abroad, would be able to travel to Britain to commemorate the event this weekend.

Her parents, who live abroad, were unable to return because her father, Jim Fitton, 66, is imprisoned in Iraq and faces the death penalty.

Geologist Jim was on a guided trip in Iraq earlier this year, seeing geological and archaeological sites in the country’s old heritage areas when he was arrested at the airport when police discovered stones and shards of shattered pottery in his luggage.

His family claims that the expedition’s tour leader stated that he gathered them during a site visit despite being informed that they had little worth.

He is now awaiting trial. If proven guilty, he faces death, but 120,000 people have petitioned the British government to assist enable his release.

On Sunday, Leila said: “It breaks my heart that my father, Jim, is not here. The uncertainty of his situation and the horrible, but very real, possibility of the death penalty is hanging over us.”

She added: “This is supposed to be the best day of our lives, but instead we find ourselves heartbroken and afraid about what may happen to my father if the Foreign Office doesn’t step up to support him.”

Her husband, Sam Tasker, recently told The Independent newspaper that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office had “totally abandoned” them. Jim’s trial is scheduled to begin next week.

While the FCDO condemns the death sentence, it stated that it cannot meddle in the legal systems of other nations.

Leila, who lives in Britain, said: “We are hopeful that the support that we have received will be recognized by the Foreign Office and that they will step in so that Jim can come home for a belated celebration soon.”

An FCDO spokesperson said: “We are providing consular support to a British national in Iraq and are in contact with the local authorities. The British government’s policy on the death penalty is clear: we oppose it in all circumstances, as a matter of principle.”

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