Irish Family’s Fight for Robert Pether’s Release from Iraqi Detention
Robert Pether, an Australian engineer detained in Iraq for almost four years on fraud charges, is accused of being a victim of an arbitrary legal system. His family’s efforts to secure his release are hampered by financial strain and emotional turmoil as they navigate ongoing legal battles and mounting health concerns for Robert. International diplomatic support has been sought but remains complex due to Robert’s nationality.
Robert Pether, an Australian national living with his family in Co Roscommon, Ireland, has been detained in Iraq for nearly four years. Arrested in April 2021, he faces fraud charges stemming from a dispute during his work on the Central Bank of Iraq’s headquarters. The United Nations has labeled his detention as arbitrary, claiming violations of his rights to a fair trial and due process.
Pether had been working in Iraq for about a decade before his arrest, including a major project at the Central Bank in 2015. Following disagreements between the bank and CME Consulting, the Dubai-based firm he worked for, Pether and his colleague Khalid Radwan were accused of embezzlement. Their lawyers argue they are essentially hostages in a contractual dispute.
Flynn Pether, Robert’s son, recalls his father being lured back to Baghdad for a meeting that ended in his arrest. The family struggled to contact him for days amidst fear for his well-being. Subsequently, he and Radwan were sentenced to five years in prison and fined $12 million after a brief trial that lasted only 15 minutes.
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions later declared their detention arbitrary, based on findings of coerced interrogations and procedural failings. Recently, the International Chamber of Commerce found Iraq’s central bank at fault in the dispute, adding weight to the family’s claims of injustice.
Desree, Robert’s wife, has tirelessly worked to secure his release, although the family now faces financial difficulties due to mounting legal bills of about €120,000. Flynn highlighted his mother’s struggle to keep the family together while coping with her health issues. The emotional toll on the family is intensified by missing significant life events without Robert’s presence.
The family’s hopes were momentarily high for Robert’s release in January 2023 but were dashed when new charges of money laundering surfaced, complicating the situation further. The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs is facilitating diplomatic measures, with support from the Australian and Egyptian governments.
Robert’s health is reportedly declining due to inadequate medical care while in detention, exacerbating pre-existing conditions. His family fears that continued incarceration without proper medical treatment could lead to dire consequences. Flynn is now in university and grappling with the dual challenge of his studies and advocacy efforts for his father’s release.
The Pether family appeals for more support in leveraging international accountability against Iraq. The Department of Foreign Affairs stresses that it is actively engaged in seeking Robert’s release while emphasizing the complexity surrounding his status as an Australian citizen. Robert is slated to appear in court again soon, facing new charges that could lead to a significantly lengthy prison sentence. The family asserts that they possess ample evidence proving Robert’s innocence, but it continues to be overlooked by the Iraqi judicial system.
Robert Pether, detained in Iraq for nearly four years on dubious fraud charges, finds his case entangled in a lengthy battle involving international law. His family faces emotional and financial strain while advocating for his release and grappling with the consequences of his absence. Support from the Irish and Australian governments continues, yet the situation remains precarious as new legal challenges emerge. The family’s determination to clear Robert’s name underscores the persistent fight against arbitrariness in legal proceedings.
Original Source: www.rte.ie
