Australian citizen Robert Pether has reached a significant milestone of 1,000 days in prison in Iraq, where he is being held on fraud charges. His family and the United Nations (UN) have criticized his detention as arbitrary, with his health rapidly deteriorating. Pether’s lawyer is urging the Australian government to take immediate action to secure his release. This article sheds light on Pether’s case, the conditions he is facing in prison, and the efforts made by his family and legal team to secure his freedom.
The imprisonment of Robert Pether has taken a toll on both him and his family. According to Pether’s wife, Desree, the situation has caused immense distress and is affecting Pether’s physical and mental well-being. Pether, who has lost significant weight since his arrest, is now at “rock bottom,” and his health is deteriorating rapidly. His children, Flynn, Oscar, and Nala, have been deprived of their father’s presence during key moments in their lives, including Christmas celebrations. Nala even wrote a letter to Santa, hoping that he could bring her father back home, highlighting the emotional toll the situation is taking on the family.
Pether, a mechanical engineer, traveled to Iraq to work on the reconstruction of the Central Bank headquarters in Baghdad. However, a contract dispute between the bank and his employer, CME Consulting, led to Pether and his Egyptian colleague, Khalid Radwan, being accused of stealing money from the project. After months of being held without charge, they were subjected to a hasty trial, resulting in a five-year jail sentence and a joint fine of $12 million.
The UN has raised concerns about the arbitrary nature of Pether’s detention, stating that it violates international law. A 2022 UN report confirmed that Pether and Radwan were subjected to abusive interrogations. The torture allegations have prompted an investigation by the UN’s Special Rapporteur on torture. These findings highlight the need for urgent action to secure Pether’s release and ensure his well-being while in custody.
Furthermore, the International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of CME Consulting, ordering Iraq’s central bank to pay $13 million to the company. This ruling undermines Iraq’s argument for Pether’s prolonged imprisonment, as it disproves the alleged wrongdoing by CME Consulting. Human rights lawyer Peter Griffin, representing Pether, asserts that Iraq is holding him in the hope of financial gain. Griffin emphasizes the need for the Australian government to increase their efforts in securing Pether’s release, drawing attention to the disparity in actions taken by other countries to free their citizens in similar situations.
The Australian government’s response to Pether’s case has been closely scrutinized. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains that they have consistently advocated for Pether’s rights and welfare but emphasize that intervention in another country’s legal processes is not possible. However, Pether’s family and legal team argue that more can and should be done to bring him back home.
The imprisonment of an Australian citizen in a foreign country raises concerns about the protection of citizens’ rights and the role of governments in such situations. Pether’s case highlights the importance of international cooperation and diplomatic efforts to secure the release of citizens unjustly detained abroad. It also underscores the need to address the allegations of torture and ill-treatment faced by prisoners in foreign jurisdictions.
As Pether’s incarceration continues, his health and well-being are at risk. The international community must pay attention to his case and exert pressure on Iraq to ensure his release and proper treatment while in custody. The Australian government should explore all available diplomatic channels to secure Pether’s return to his home country, prioritizing his human rights and welfare.
In conclusion, Robert Pether’s prolonged imprisonment in Iraq has reached a distressing milestone of 1,000 days. His family’s pleas for his release and the UN’s concerns about the arbitrary nature of his detention emphasize the urgency of the situation. The Australian government, along with the international community, must take immediate action to ensure Pether’s well-being, secure his release, and safeguard the rights of citizens detained unjustly abroad.
