DUBLIN — Australian construction engineer Robert Pether is returning to Ireland on October 12, 2026, ending a five-year ordeal in Iraq following a high-profile contractual dispute involving his employer and the Central Bank of Iraq.
Pether, 51, who resided in Elphin, County Roscommon, with his wife Desree and children before his arrest, arrived at Dublin Airport on Monday morning to reunite with his family.
Contractual Dispute and Detention
Pether was initially arrested in Baghdad on April 7, 2021, alongside Egyptian colleague Khaled Radwan. The pair had traveled to Iraq to resolve a commercial disagreement between their employer, Dubai-based engineering firm CME Consulting, and the Central Bank of Iraq over the construction of the bank’s new headquarters.
Upon arrival, both engineers were detained and subsequently charged with fraud. In August 2021, an Iraqi court sentenced Pether and Radwan to five years in prison and imposed a combined $12 million fine.
A March 2022 report by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded that Pether’s imprisonment was arbitrary and conducted in breach of international legal standards.
Prison Release and Departure Travel Restrictions
While Pether was released from prison in mid-2025 due to deteriorating health conditions, Iraqi authorities initially barred him from departing the country pending the settlement of outstanding financial claims tied to the case.
During the subsequent period, Pether remained under travel restrictions in Baghdad, supported by accommodation arranged through diplomatic channels and family assistance. Following sustained diplomatic engagement involving Australian and Irish authorities, Iraqi officials lifted the travel ban, allowing his full departure.
Reintegration and Diplomatic Statements
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong welcomed the decision by Iraqi authorities to permit Pether’s return, expressing appreciation for Irish government cooperation throughout the multi-year diplomatic effort.
Family members confirmed that Pether will undergo medical evaluation at a hospital in Ireland to address ongoing health concerns resulting from his prolonged detention before returning to his family home in Roscommon.
Government Buildings, Dublin, Ireland by David Kernan
