Irish Family Fights for Justice: Robert Pether’s Detention in Iraq
Robert Pether, an Australian engineer detained in Iraq since 2021 on fraud charges, has been described by the UN as arbitrarily detained. His family, including Irish citizens, continues to fight for his release while facing substantial legal expenses. Despite diplomatic interventions, legal battles persist, exacerbated by concerns about Mr. Pether’s declining health and new charges. The family calls for accountability from Iraq for the ongoing ordeal.
Robert Pether, an Australian national detained in Iraq for nearly four years, faces imprisonment on fraud charges connected to a contract dispute over the reconstruction of the Central Bank of Iraq. His situation has been described as arbitrary detention by the United Nations, which has indicated violations of his rights. Mr. Pether, a mechanical engineer with almost a decade of experience in the Middle East, was arrested along with his colleague Khalid Radwan in April 2021 after accusations of theft related to their work.
Following his arrest, Mr. Pether and Mr. Radwan were imprisoned for over five months before being convicted in August 2021. Both men received hefty fines and lengthy jail sentences with multiple appeals proving unsuccessful. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention stated that their right to a fair trial had been compromised, and subsequent reports indicated coercive interrogation practices employed during their detention.
Efforts from the Pether family, particularly from his wife Desree and their children, who hold Irish citizenship, are ongoing to secure his release. The family is now facing substantial legal expenses, leading to the potential sale of their home. Flynn Pether, Robert’s son, shared the emotional toll on the family, noting significant life milestones missed due to his father’s absence, despite continued hope for his release.
Flynn reveals the distress associated with his father’s deteriorating health during incarceration, which raises serious concerns, especially regarding previously diagnosed skin cancer. The family’s distress is compounded by the complexities of the legal and diplomatic efforts involving the Irish, Australian, and Egyptian governments. While they express gratitude for the support received, they continue to advocate for accountability from Iraq regarding their father’s situation.
As the battle unfolds, Robert Pether’s family emphasizes that he is receiving legal representation that would typically lead to dismissal of such a case in more just judicial systems. With multiple upcoming court dates, they remain anxious about the implications of new charges claiming money laundering, linking the accusations back to his employment with CME Consulting. They argue that these charges reflect a misinterpretation of legal statutes, raising the specter of an indefinite sentence.
The case of Robert Pether highlights the dire consequences of arbitrary detention and the challenges faced by families navigating intricate legal and diplomatic arenas. Despite significant advocacy from both Irish and Australian authorities, the Pether family encounters daunting obstacles in seeking justice. The ongoing health decline of Mr. Pether underscores the urgent need for resolution, as the family persists in their fight against what they view as unjust charges. Without substantial changes, they fear an indefinite loss of freedom for both him and his colleague. The call for accountability from Iraq resonates strongly as the situation develops.
Original Source: www.rte.ie
