Irish-based Australian released after four years in Iraqi jail

Robert Pether was arrested and detained on April 7 in what his wife, Desree, believes was some form of contractual dispute, involving his employer, over the building of a new Central Bank building in Iraq.

An Irish-based engineer who has been imprisoned in Iraq for four years has been released, it has been confirmed tonight.

Robert Pether was arrested and detained on April 7, 2021, on fraud charges arising from a contractual dispute involving his employer over the building of a new Central Bank building in Iraq.

Mr Pether, an Australian national who was living with his family in Elphin, Co Roscommon, was arrested alongside an Egyptian colleague after being called to a meeting in Baghdad to discuss the project which they had worked on for four years.

Mr Pether's family had warned in recent times of his declining health due to lack of access to adequate health services and doctors.

His release from jail was confirmed this evening by Tánaiste Simon Harris. However, Mr Pether has only been released on bail and will remain in Iraq for the time being.

Mr Harris said it is very welcome news in a long and distressing saga for Mr Pether's wife Desree, his three children, and his wider family and friends.

"Foreign Minister Hussein of Iraq, whom I spoke to last month to urge Robert’s release, called me this evening with the news," the foreign affairs minister said in a statement.

I was informed that Robert has been released on bail and for the moment he remains in Iraq, but I welcomed this as a first step to his being allowed to return to his family in Roscommon. 

Mr Harris has spoken with Desree about the development in Mr Pether's case and said there are still concerns surrounding his health and the outstanding charges.

He said he is hopeful of a positive resolution in the case and took the opportunity to thank Irish diplomatic officials in the region for their continued work on Mr Pether's case.