Iraq: British Man Gets 15 Years Over Smuggling Artifacts

Jim Fitton of Britain (L), and Volker Waldmann of Germany, center, wearing yellow detainees’ uniforms and handcuffed are escorted by Iraqi security forces, outside a courtroom, in Baghdad on May 22, 2022. /Hadi Mizban/AP Photo

BAGHDAD—A British citizen was sentenced Monday by an Iraqi court to 15 years in prison on charges of attempting to smuggle artifacts out of the country, in a case that has attracted international attention.

The verdict handed down to retired geologist Jim Fitton, shocked the court in Baghdad, including his defense attorney. He and his family have argued that Fitton, 66, had no criminal intent.