Australian national Robert Pether has been detained in Iraq for almost four years on fraud charges deemed arbitrary by the UN. His family faces severe financial difficulties as they fight for his release amid emotional distress. Diplomatic efforts have been made by Australia and Ireland, but concerns remain for Mr. Pether’s health and legal status as new charges arise.
Robert Pether, an Australian national residing in Elphin, County Roscommon, has been detained in Iraq for almost four years since his arrest in April 2021 on fraud charges. The United Nations classified his detention as arbitrary, asserting violations of his rights. Mr. Pether, a mechanical engineer, had previously worked on the reconstruction of the Central Bank headquarters in Baghdad in 2015, where a contractual dispute later led to his imprisonment alongside his colleague, Khalid Radwan, accused of misappropriation of funds.
In a troubling sequence of events, Mr. Pether was lured back to Iraq on the pretense of discussions about the project dispute. His son Flynn recalls the ordeal, explaining how Iraqi authorities stormed the meeting and detained the engineers. Initially, the family lost contact with Mr. Pether, facing agonizing uncertainty regarding his well-being.
After more than five months in custody, Mr. Pether and Mr. Radwan were convicted in August 2021 and given five-year sentences, along with a joint fine of $12 million. Subsequent appeals have been rejected. The UN Working Group acknowledged their arbitrary detention, with a 2022 report deemed the trial as inconsistent with international law, highlighting coercive interrogations.
Desree Pether, Mr. Pether’s wife and an Irish citizen, has tirelessly campaigned for his release, but escalating legal costs of around €120,000 have forced the family to consider selling their home. Flynn described the battle as a “David and Goliath situation,” elaborating on the emotional toll of missing significant family milestones during his father’s absence.
Compounding their struggle, January 2023 brought hopes for release, only for new charges of money laundering to emerge while civil suits escalated. Flynn, along with family members, continues to advocate for accountability, emphasizing Iraq’s obligations under international conventions, yet feeling unsupported.
Despite diplomatic efforts by both Irish and Australian authorities, including over 190 representations made to Iraq since his arrest, Mr. Pether’s health has reportedly deteriorated during incarceration, raising concerns for his safety. As legal battles persist, the Pether family is in desperate need of support to rectify what they assert are wrongful convictions in a flawed judicial process.
In anticipation of an upcoming court date where new charges against Mr. Pether will be presented, the family fears that without a fair trial, their ordeal may lead to a lengthy sentence that they contend lacks any basis in truth. Flynn articulated a grave concern: “Every time they go to court, it’s already a foregone conclusion.”
The lengthy and harrowing ordeal of Robert Pether, who has been detained in Iraq since 2021 on disputed fraud charges, highlights significant legal and humanitarian concerns. Both the United Nations and legal experts have acknowledged the arbitrary nature of his detention, compounded by the emotional distress experienced by his family during this period. Despite diplomatic and legal efforts to secure his release, escalating financial burdens place additional strain on the family. Their situation underscores the urgent need for accountability and adherence to international legal standards.
Original Source: www.rte.ie
