A retired British geologist facing the death penalty for attempting to smuggle ancient artefacts out of Iraq faces a further two weeks in a holding cell after his trial was postponed by an Iraqi court.
Both Jim Fitton, 66, and co-accused German tourist Volker Waldmann were escorted into the courtroom wearing stark yellow jumpsuits as the family of Fitton hoped judges would come to a decision during a second court hearing today.
Instead they will now have to wait until June 6 after Baghdad’s felony court postponed the case following a request by the defence team for Waldmann.
Both men were arrested at Baghdad airport on March 20 with fragmented shards of Iraqi antiquities in their possession as they tried to leave the country.
It was reported Waldmann’s defence lawyer, Furat Kubba, argued more information was needed about the historical significance of the 12 items found in their possession, which Iraqi officials have said could be considered as archaeological pieces as they date back…
