Iraq frees Egyptian and Australian engineers over central bank contract issue
Baghdad – Iraq has released an Australian mechanical engineer and his Egyptian colleague who were detained for more than four years over a dispute with the central bank, authorities said Friday, though the two remain barred from leaving the country.
Robert Pether and Khalid Radwan were working for an engineering company contracted to oversee the construction of the bank's new Baghdad headquarters, according to a United Nations report, when they were arrested in April 2021.
A report from a working group for the UN Human Rights Council said the arrests stemmed from a contractual dispute over 'alleged failure to execute certain payments'.
Both men were sentenced to five years in prison and fined $12 million, the working group said.
A security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that Pether, in his fifties, was released 'due to his poor health'.
Australian media have previously reported that the family suspected Pether had developed lung cancer in prison and that he had undergone surgery for skin cancer.
A second Iraqi official confirmed the release of Radwan, adding that he was not allowed to leave the country until a 'final decision' was made regarding his case.
Australia's ABC broadcaster quoted the country's foreign minister, Penny Wong, as welcoming the release and saying the Australian government had raised the issue with Iraqi authorities more than 200 times.
Simon Harris, foreign minister for Ireland, where Pether's family lives, posted on X: 'This evening, I have been informed of the release on bail of Robert Pether, whose imprisonment in Iraq has been a case of great concern.
'This is very welcome news in what has been a long and distressing saga for Robert's wife, three children and his wider family and friends.'
Speaking to Irish national broadcaster RTE, Pether's wife, Desree Pether, said her husband was 'not well at all' and 'really needs to just come home so he can get the proper medical care he needs'.
'He's completely unrecognisable. It's a shock to the system to see how far he has declined,' she said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Iraqi News
2 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Iraq frees Egyptian and Australian engineers over central bank contract issue
Baghdad – Iraq has released an Australian mechanical engineer and his Egyptian colleague who were detained for more than four years over a dispute with the central bank, authorities said Friday, though the two remain barred from leaving the country. Robert Pether and Khalid Radwan were working for an engineering company contracted to oversee the construction of the bank's new Baghdad headquarters, according to a United Nations report, when they were arrested in April 2021. A report from a working group for the UN Human Rights Council said the arrests stemmed from a contractual dispute over 'alleged failure to execute certain payments'. Both men were sentenced to five years in prison and fined $12 million, the working group said. A security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that Pether, in his fifties, was released 'due to his poor health'. Australian media have previously reported that the family suspected Pether had developed lung cancer in prison and that he had undergone surgery for skin cancer. A second Iraqi official confirmed the release of Radwan, adding that he was not allowed to leave the country until a 'final decision' was made regarding his case. Australia's ABC broadcaster quoted the country's foreign minister, Penny Wong, as welcoming the release and saying the Australian government had raised the issue with Iraqi authorities more than 200 times. Simon Harris, foreign minister for Ireland, where Pether's family lives, posted on X: 'This evening, I have been informed of the release on bail of Robert Pether, whose imprisonment in Iraq has been a case of great concern. 'This is very welcome news in what has been a long and distressing saga for Robert's wife, three children and his wider family and friends.' Speaking to Irish national broadcaster RTE, Pether's wife, Desree Pether, said her husband was 'not well at all' and 'really needs to just come home so he can get the proper medical care he needs'. 'He's completely unrecognisable. It's a shock to the system to see how far he has declined,' she said.
Iraq Business
6 hours ago
- Iraq Business
Iraq Prepares 97 Industrial and Agricultural Projects
By John Lee. As part of preparations for the Iraq Investment Forum, scheduled for 14-15 June in Baghdad, the Operations Room of the National Investment Commission (NIC) held an extensive meeting to review investment opportunities submitted by the Ministries of Industry and Minerals and of Agriculture. 97 Strategic Opportunities The review covered 97 industrial investment opportunities worth an estimated 4 trillion Iraqi dinars. These include: Rehabilitation and development of public sector companies into profitable entities via strategic partnerships with the private sector. Establishment and expansion of industrial and economic cities. Projects in petrochemicals and fertilisers. 21 targeted opportunities in heavy and medium industries. In the agricultural sector, promising investment opportunities include: Crop and livestock production. Modern irrigation systems. Agricultural mechanisation. Development of food processing and packaging complexes, supporting food security and value-added outputs. The NIC emphasised the importance of aligning the national investment map with state priorities in productive sectors and food and industrial security. The Commission called for streamlined investor procedures in coordination with relevant ministries to ensure the readiness of projects before their presentation at the forum. The meeting was attended by members of the NIC Operations Room, representatives from the Iraqi Economic Council, and officials from the sectoral ministries. (Source: NIC)
Shafaq News
7 hours ago
- Shafaq News
German police arrest Iraqi man over Passau car attack
Shafaq News/ German police arrested a 48-year-old Iraqi man after he allegedly rammed his car into a group of people in Passau, southern Germany, on Saturday evening, injuring five. Authorities said the suspect faces attempted murder charges. Initial investigations suggested the attack was deliberate, with police indicating it may have been linked to a custody dispute between the man and his wife. Among the injured were the suspect's 40-year-old wife and their five-year-old daughter. Police said the suspect was apprehended shortly after the incident and has been questioned, although it remains unclear whether he has provided any statements. Three of the five injured, including the suspect's daughter, have been released from the hospital. His wife and another woman remain hospitalized, but their injuries are not considered life-threatening, according to police.
