Ireland – RTE, May 02, 2025
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris will today hold talks with his counterpart from Iraq to press the case of Roscommon resident Robert Pether, who has been detained in Iraq for four years.
Mr Harris sought the meeting with Dr Fuad Hussein, the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, in order to raise what the United Nations has described as the “arbitrary detention” of Mr Pether.
The Australian national, who had been living in Elphin Co Roscommon with his family, was arrested in April 2021 and later jailed on fraud charges.
The Tánaiste has been in touch with his family who are campaigning for his release.
“I look forward to discussing with my counterpart from Iraq, the case of Robert Pether, whose detention in an Iraqi prison is a cause of considerable concern and distress for his family,” Mr Harris said.
