Arabic version: روبرت بيثر يغادر العراق بعد محنة استمرت خمس سنوات

According to ABC News, Australian engineer Robert Pether has left Iraq five years after his arrest, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has confirmed.

Mr Pether, 51, was arrested in April 2021 with his Egyptian colleague and charged with deception. He has always maintained his innocence.

An Iraqi judge found Mr Pether guilty of deception. He was released from prison in June 2025 after spending more than four years behind bars.

Following his release, travel restrictions prevented Mr Pether from leaving Iraq. Senator Wong said he has now departed Baghdad and is free to reunite with his family in Ireland.