The British government is being pushed to obtain the release of a British citizen accused of smuggling antiques into Iraq.

Jim Fitton, 66, has been held in Iraq for five weeks and will be sentenced on May 8.

According to Iraqi legislation, “anyone exported or attempted to export, willfully, an antiquity” faces the death penalty.

Fitton’s relatives said the father-of-two, who worked as an oil and gas geologist before retiring to Malaysia, went to Iraq for an archaeological tour.

As part of an organized trip, he went to the ancient site of Eridu and collected stones and shards from the earth.

Fitton’s punishment was scheduled to take place during their wedding celebrations, according to his daughter Leila and her husband Sam Tasker.

They said: “There is never a good time for something like this to happen, but we are one week away from what should be the happiest day of our lives and the culmination of more than two years of planning, and it’s been turned into an absolute living nightmare.

“We have accepted the fact that, without timely intervention from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, Jim will be unable to attend this ceremony, too.”

Fitton’s case piqued the interest of UK MP Wera Hobhouse in the House of Commons.

“We understand the urgency of the case, and have already raised our concerns with the Iraqi authorities regarding the possible imposition of the death penalty in Mr. Fitton’s case, as well as the UK’s opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle,” said Amanda Milling, minister of state for Asia and the Middle East, in response last week.

Fitton’s family lawyer is hoping to resolve the case before trial with a draught agreement, but the FCDO must approve it before a meeting with Iraqi judges can take place.

The proposal cited Fitton’s “clear lack of criminality” and argued that he was a “victim of poor guidance and circumstance.”

The FCDO stated that it was in contact with local officials in Iraq and was offering consular assistance.

Fitton’s family’s online petition demanding his release has gathered nearly 100,000 signatures since it was launched on April 28.

Leila Fitton described the response as “unbelievable.”

She added: “Jim really appreciates the support from old colleagues, good friends, kindred spirits, and complete strangers who have not allowed this to go unnoticed. We will continue to fight while we continue to have you at our backs.”

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