The family of an Irish citizen, who was being held in jail in Iraq, has said the charges he was facing are to be dropped.
Anti-corruption advocate Yasser Eljuboori, who holds an Irish passport, was arrested on Monday morning at Baghdad Airport.
He appeared in court in the Iraqi capital this morning where he was informed the charges against him are to be dropped. He has also been released on bail.
However, a statement issued on behalf of Mr Eljuboori's family said the Iraqi authorities have retained his passport.
It said he has been informed there are "two to three days of paperwork" to complete before he will be allowed to leave the country.
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His family are now appealing to the Iraqi authorities to ensure his "safe passage home without delay".
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, his wife Laura Wickham said that she was trying to put as much pressure on to get her husband back from Iraq and on Irish soil.
Speaking about his charges being dropped, she said: "This is a great step in the right direction, but sometimes this is the tricky part. It’s really important that we keep the pressure on.
"There is a certain sigh of relief that the charges are dropped in court but it’s important that he comes home, and he gets his passport back and he gets back to Dublin to me and his kids".
Asked how he is, she said that he was tired and emotional but is relieved.
"The whole thing is just so overwhelming".
She admitted that the family are still in limbo, but said the children were continuing their routine. She said that they are now starting to ask about their dad and say that they miss him.
"Hopefully we’ll get to do another video call maybe later, where they can see him and that would be reassurance. I’m so cautious that it’s kind of halfway, and there’s another half to go.
"I’m really grateful to the Tánaiste and to the DFA for the pressure that they’ve put on, and I really hope that that continues until he’s back in Dublin Airport".
Speaking earlier this morning, Ms Wickham described the development as "wonderful news".
"This is a step in the right direction but there is a long road still ahead to bring Yasser home to us in Dublin."
She said: "It is wonderful news that the charges have been dropped, but I will not stop campaigning until Yasser is safely home in Dublin airport."
Ms Wickham has called on the authorities in Iraq to "return Yasser's passport urgently, end this ordeal and allow him to return home."
Mr Eljuboori's wife has urged the Irish Government to continue with its efforts.
"I call upon them to keep the pressure up and make clear to the Iraqi authorities that this case is not over until Yasser is safely home in Ireland."
The father of three young children, who has been living in Dublin for the last 16 years, was detained as he was checking-in for a flight to return to Ireland in the early hours of Monday morning.
He was in Iraq for a week-long trip to visit his ailing mother and for a family reunion.
His wife said it was initially claimed that Mr Eljuboori was travelling on a false passport, but his brother and his solicitor in Baghdad were later informed he was being held for defamation.
"They were saying that there was a report from the office of the Prime Minister of Iraq basically saying that he was being defamatory towards the Prime Minister, as a result of his online activism."
Amid concerns over his treatment in jail, Ms Wickham had last night instructed her international legal representatives to file an urgent appeal with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture.
Tánaiste welcomes developments
In a statement this afternoon, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said he "very much" welcomes the decision in Baghdad.
"This is naturally positive news for him, for his family, and all those who know and cherish him," the Tánaiste said.
My statement on the case of Irish citizen Yasser Eljuboori. pic.twitter.com/WpJZMb8qvH
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) February 29, 2024
Mr Martin added that he has been speaking directly with Ms Wickham, saying that he hopes today's developments will "go some way towards alleviating the stress they have been experiencing, but I understand that their deep worry will not ease until the moment they are reunited with Yasser in Dublin".
The Tánaiste held a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iraq Dr Fuad Hussein on Mr Eljuboori’s case.
Dr Hussein told Mr Martin that he had raised the case at the highest level and was confident that Mr Eljuboori would be released following the waiving of charges against him.
"Officials in my department and our embassy in Jordan remain actively involved on this case and will continue to provide consular assistance until Mr Eljuboori is reunited with his family in Dublin."
