Key Takeaways
- Australian engineer Robert Pether has been freed after four years in Baghdad prison.
- His family had feared he would die in jail due to the harsh conditions.
- The Iraqi government has allowed him to leave the country.
Australian engineer Robert Pether has been released from a Baghdad jail after spending four years behind bars, his family has confirmed.
Pether was arrested without charge in April 2021 in connection with a business dispute between his firm, which was building a new headquarters for the central bank, and the Iraqi government.
His family has described the past four years as a living hell, fearing the worst for their loved one’s wellbeing and safety.
The Australian foreign minister has welcomed the Iraqi government’s decision to allow Pether to leave the country, stating that the release is a positive development.
Pether’s family expressed relief at his release, saying they had been “living in hell” since his arrest.
The Australian government has been working closely with the Iraqi authorities to secure Pether’s release, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in such cases.
Pether’s return to Australia is expected to be met with a warm welcome from his family and colleagues, who have been anxiously awaiting his safe return.
The incident has drawn attention to the challenges faced by foreign nationals in Iraq, particularly in relation to business disputes with local authorities.
