Australia demands release of citizen jailed in Iraq

Wife fears for Robert Pether’s future amid renewed charges which could lead to 15 years in prison 

CANBERRA, Australia (MNTV) – The Australian government has renewed its appeal for the release of Robert Pether who has been in prison in Iraq for four years, reports The National.

“Australian citizen Robert Pether has now been in prison in Iraq for four years,” said Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on social media platform X.

“He has served the custodial sentence imposed on him by the Iraqi courts. It’s time for him to be returned to his family.”

Pether, along with his Egyptian co-worker Khaled Radwan, was jailed in August 2021 after a contract dispute between his employer and authorities in Iraq. 

The families of both men were expecting them to be released in January, having served their sentences, however it emerged that Mr Pether was facing a new charge of money laundering, which could lead to a further 15 years in prison.

“I honestly don’t know if we’ll ever see him again,” said Mr Pether’s wife Desree. “I don’t believe he’ll survive if he’s sentenced to another 15 years. Robert is at absolute rock bottom, he’s already told he won’t survive [if sentenced again].”

The stress of the situation has also taken a toll on the rest of the Pether family.

“Our family is completely broken. The children are trying to survive and get on with their lives with what happened with their father,” said Ms Pether, who added that the family is having to pay the cost of getting her husband the legal support he needs.