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It will be two months next week since “innocent” Robert Pether was released from prison in Iraq – but he has still not been allowed to return home to Ireland.
Tánaiste Simon Harris’s Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed to the Irish Mirror on Friday that the family in Ireland of engineer Robert are still waiting for his return, four years after he was locked up.
People close to the situation told the Irish Mirror that there could be developments as soon as “next week”, with Tuesday (August 5) marking exactly two months since he was released.
Mr Pether was arrested in Baghdad in April 2021 amid a €20 million contract row between his Dubai-based employer and Iraq’s Central Bank.
After a high-profile campaign that was reported throughout by the Irish Mirror, it was finally announced on June 5 that Rob, 49, was being released.
But wife Desree, 53 and kids Flynn, 21, Oscar, 20 and Nala, 12, are still waiting for him at their family home in Elphin, Co Roscommon.
When Rob – who previously survived melanoma cancer and now has prostate cancer – was released almost two months ago, Desree said jail had left her husband looking “unrecognisable”.
Desree, who cannot speak to the media amid the ongoing situation in Iraq, has written online about husband not being allowed to return to Ireland.
She said: “It has been weeks since he was released from prison, extremely unwell mentally and physically, barely able to walk or eat.
“He should have been on the first available plane home and straight into hospital. Absolutely horrendous treatment of an innocent man.”
Desree appealed for help from supporters and wrote: “We need help urgently. As this farce drags on, we have to now also pay for accommodation and food for Robert.
“We don’t know how we will do that for even another month and there is our own expenses with no income.
“We’ve been living very frugally. We have nothing left in savings. Not a cent. We’ve lost our car and our health insurance.
“We are isolated in the country in Ireland. This has had a massive impact on our family. If you can help in any way or share we would be grateful.”
A GoFundMe account in the name of Robert Pether has been set up and has so far raised over €17,000 of a €30,000 target.
Desree, who has never spoken publicly about the behind-the-scenes efforts to have her husband freed, insisted online in recent days that Rob is “innocent”.
She wrote: “There was absolutely no grounds for his arrest on 7th April 2021. He is a hostage. Three international court rulings found him innocent.
“A UN report published March 2022 finding he is in arbitrary detention, unlawfully detained and held for leverage.”
She added recently: “The entire case would be immediately thrown out in any regular court that follows due process, right back when he was first trapped and arrested. Every accusation fabricated and unsubstantiated.”
In recent months, the family has experienced tumultuous upheaval amid the ongoing struggle to get Rob home to Roscommon.
Youngest child Nala finished her childhood education with Rob still detained in Iraq.
Desree said: “And just like that, she’s finished primary school. Off to high school in September. Absolutely in awe of her strength these past four-and-a-half years.”
Rob, who is from Australia but his home is in Roscommon, was arrested and jailed on fraud charges, which he denied and which the UN claimed were false.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of Mr Pether’s situation and has been providing assistance to his family in Roscommon throughout his detention in Iraq.
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