Australian engineer Robert Pether has left Iraq, concluding a five-year detention that began with his arrest in Baghdad. The engineer was initially detained in Baghdad following a commercial contractual dispute. Details surrounding the dispute and the specifics of his release remain limited. Pether’s departure, which occurred on Monday, October 12, 2026, marks the end of a prolonged and challenging period for both him and his family. The case garnered attention as concerns grew regarding the length of his imprisonment and the conditions of his detention within Iraq. His release signifies a resolution to a complex legal matter within the Iraqi legal system. Iraqi News reported on his departure.