Robert Pether was conditionally released from detention in Iraq in the first week of June after spending the past four years incarcerated in an overcrowded Iraqi gaol. According to Robert's wife, Desree, he is staying in a safe house and applications for him to leave the country are underway. 

"Robert remains unable to leave Iraq, and with his release coming on the eve of the Eid-al Adha celebration, the details of his legal position remain unclear," Desree said. "His health has deteriorated materially over the period, and he is now barely able to walk." 

Sentenced in Iraq in 2021on fraud charges in relation to a construction project, Robert's case has been followed by the media and reviewed by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which deemed Robert had been arbitrarily detained, and that he was subjected to torture prior to his conviction. 

In April this year, the US Government's Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs joined the call for Robert's release and reunion with his family. 

Robert's family have lived with high stress levels since his arrest, anguished about Robert's deteriorating health. Desree spoke to ABC Radio National about Robert's health and the latest developments in an interview on 9 June. 

The OKGA understands the Pether's have had to sell their home and other belongings to fund Robert's ongoing defence. To that end, a friend of the Pether family has set up a GoFundMe page. While applying for Robert to leave the country, the Pether's are hoping to connect with people who could potentially help him and his family travel to Sydney (via Ireland) and any medical professionals willing to help with his recovery.