DUBAI—Covington has helped secure the release of Australian engineer Robert Pether, who has now left Iraq after more than five years in the country.
Robert Pether was detained in April 2021 alongside his colleague Khalid Radwan, in connection with a contractual dispute between their employer and the Central Bank of Iraq. After spending more than four years in prison, the two men were released in June 2025 but were subjected to a further investigation and travel restrictions that prevented them from leaving Iraq.
Working on a pro bono basis since early 2026, Covington engaged with senior political figures in Iraq to advocate for Robert Pether’s release.
On October 5, Iraqi authorities issued orders lifting the travel ban and ending the ongoing investigation. Robert Pether and Khalid Radwan left Iraq over the weekend and Robert has now returned to his family in Ireland.
Rupert Harper, a partner in the firm’s Dubai office who led the team supporting Robert Pether and his family, commented: "We are delighted that Robert is finally able to reunite with his family after an extraordinarily difficult ordeal. This outcome demonstrates the unique capabilities of Covington's global Public Policy Practice, which brings together former senior government officials, diplomats, policy advisers, and lawyers to help clients navigate complex challenges at the intersection of law, policy, and international affairs. By leveraging our global problem-solving approach and engaging constructively with key stakeholders at the highest levels of government, we were proud to contribute to the efforts that ultimately secured Robert's freedom."
The Covington team included Stephen Rademaker, Rupert Harper and Rebecca Longe, and was pleased to be joined by Peter Griffen of Slaney Advisors and human rights barristers at 33 Bedford Chambers, also working pro bono, and representatives of the Irish, Egyptian and Australian governments.
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