Tánaiste: 'We'll do all we can to secure Irish citizen's release in Iraq'

Micheál Martin said he is concerned for the safety of Yasser Eljuboori, who was detained at Baghdad Airport on Monday as he tried to travel back to Ireland on his Irish passport following a visit to his ailing mother. Picture: Laura Wickham

The Tánaiste has pledged to use all available diplomatic tools to help secure the release of an Irish citizen who has been detained in Baghdad.

Micheál Martin said he is concerned for the safety of Yasser Eljuboori, who was detained at Baghdad Airport on Monday as he tried to travel back to Ireland on his Irish passport following a visit to his ailing mother.

Mr Martin said Irish diplomats have been in contact with Iraqi authorities in Baghdad seeking a “clear response” as to why Mr Eljuboori has been detained.

“We've also made the point that he's a wife and children at home and that he’s an Irish citizen, a dual Irish-Iraqi citizen,” he said.

“We will do everything we possibly can to assist in this case and get this case resolved. We will be using all the tools at our disposal diplomatically and consular to get him released.

"We’re always concerned in situations like this, but we will work with the Iraqi authorities.

“I hope I can make contact again today and get clarity on all of this and get a resolution to this as effectively and quickly as we can.”

Mr Eljuboori, a father of three, lives and works in Ireland but is a prominent anti-corruption activist with a large social media following.

His wife, Laura Wickham, said his detention came as a shock because he had visited Baghdad last September without issue.

He came to Ireland 16 years ago, the couple met 13 years ago, married eight years ago, and have three children, the eldest having just started primary school.

Detained at airport

However, as he attempted to travel back to Ireland on his Irish passport on Monday, he was detained at Baghdad Airport by Iraqi authorities who did not give a reason for his detention.

He appeared in court on Tuesday where a judge requested his transfer to a different court where he will appear on Thursday, but he continues to be detained without bail. It has been reported that he was being charged with defamation.

Ms Wickham said she has received information that her husband has been mistreated since his detention, that he was beaten, blindfolded, and transported to different locations.

She told Morning Ireland on Wednesday: “He is a full-on dad wholeheartedly involved. A big family man. I have a big family. We've extended family in Cork. He's like the first into the Atlantic. Loves his pint of Guinness, a big rugby supporter. And he's held in very high regard by his friends, colleagues, neighbours. He works in LinkedIn here. He loves his team.

I'm using all of my energy, all of this, just to try and get him home. I want him home safe. 

"I'm trying to kind of use my energy in the right places, and that's what I'm doing at the moment. I'm grateful for all of the help that's been pouring in. 

"And everybody he knows, as I said, he's well-liked. He's great fun. He's a gorgeous person. He's my number one person. So I’m overwhelmed by the response and people reaching out to raise awareness. 

"So I'm very grateful for that. And that's kind of keeps me going.”