Robert Pether, an Australian national and resident of Dubai, has been reported as severely unwell following his conditional release from a prison in Iraq.

Pether, along with his Egyptian colleague Khaled Radwan, was incarcerated in August 2021 stemming from a contract dispute between their employer and Iraqi authorities.

The pair were sentenced to five years in prison and fined $12 million amidst allegations related to a $33 million contract awarded in 2015 for work on the central bank's headquarters in Baghdad.

Despite his release, Mr. Pether faces ongoing legal proceedings in Iraq and remains barred from leaving the country.

His condition has raised alarms among his family, as they describe him as "extremely malnourished" and significantly changed in appearance.

His wife, Desree Pether, expressed shock during a video call, noting that her husband appears unrecognizable and frail compared to before his arrest.

Mr. Pether's health issues reportedly include intestinal problems, for which he has only been able to consume limited food items like rice and potatoes for the past four months.

Witnessing his deterioration, Ms. Pether highlighted that her husband has lost considerable weight, shrinking from an XL to a small or medium size.

In addition to gastrointestinal issues, Mr. Pether is suffering from gallstones and an enlarged prostate.

Prison authorities did facilitate medical tests, yet the specific causes of his health problems remain unknown.

Desree Pether mentioned that although prison guards were reportedly good to her husband, there are concerns about his safety and health now that he is alone in a hotel.

She noted episodes of low blood sugar leading to blackouts and voiced apprehension regarding his transition to isolation after four years in a confined environment.

She has advocated for Mr. Pether to be allowed to leave Iraq to seek comprehensive medical treatment in Ireland, where his family resides.

She remarked on his emotional state, indicating that while he felt a sense of relief being released, the stark contrast in his living situation has left him exhausted.

The Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, described the release as a positive development but acknowledged the significant toll that Mr. Pether's detention has had on him and his family.

Wong expressed hope that this news would provide relief after a prolonged period of distress.

Irish officials have also been involved in the situation, with Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris confirming communication with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein regarding Mr. Pether's release.

Harris welcomed the development as the initial step towards Mr. Pether's return to his family in Roscommon, while emphasizing ongoing concerns about his health and legal status.

The initial arrest of Mr. Pether and Mr. Radwan occurred during what they believed to be a routine business meeting in Iraq.

Following their detention, the legal proceedings unraveled largely due to contract disputes resulting from financial instabilities affecting the project.

The firm they worked for, CME, faced challenges related to delays and payment issues owing to declining oil prices and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the construction industry.