Family of jailed Elphin resident ‘hopeful’ after Tánaiste has talks with Iraqi counterpart

The family of Robert Pether, who has been in jail in Iraq for over four years are “hopeful” that he may be released on humanitarian grounds following a meeting between Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris and his Iraqi counterpart.

Desree Pether, wife of Robert who lives in Elphin, told the Roscommon Herald she got a call from Simon Harris on today, Friday where he relayed to her that Robert’s plight had been discussed with the Iraqi official. 

Although the Tánaiste did not outline to her the exact details of what was said Desree stated: “He said that he spoke to him and that he would continue making every effort to try and get Robert home and that it's gone on long enough; he needs to be released so that he can get the medical treatment he needs. He said he's so sorry that this is happening; he said that he would do whatever he could and he just reiterated that and reinforced that he won't forget about us and that he will keep taking any opportunity he can to try and get him home to us.” 

Robert, who is originally from Australia but was living in Elphin, was jailed in Baghdad amid a €20m contract row between his Dubai-based employer and the Central Bank of Iraq. He and a colleague were arrested in Baghdad on April 7th, 2021, by 12 police officers who stormed a meeting the men were having with the governor of the Central Bank of Iraq.

Fears are now increasing in relation to Robert’s deteriorating health. Desree said: “I’m beside myself with worry. He is very sick and getting sicker every week. We're at the end of another week and still going around in circles, it’s horrendous. It's so hard to hear him being so weak and sick and in pain constantly."

Following the meeting a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs stated: “The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade held a call with his Iraqi counterpart. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not comment on individual cases and remains in contact with the Pether family."

For full story see next week's Roscommon Herald.