Irishman in Iraqi jail hell may soon be free
Yasser imprisoned for criticising state to learn fate in court today
THE ordeal of an Irishman jailed in Iraq for criticising the country could finally be ending if charges against him are dropped today.
Yasser Eljuboori, 37, is a campaigner who has highlighted corruption in the Gulf state to his 75,000 followers on social media platform X.
He was arrested in Baghdad when he travelled there on his Irish passport to visit relatives.
In a frantic few days, Mr Eljuboori was taken into custody on February 26 just moments before he was to board a flight home to Ireland due to accusations that he defamed Iraq’s political leaders, including the prime minister.
The charges were dropped in court last Thursday, but the Iraqi authorities have retained his passport.
A second court appearance was scheduled for last Sunday when he was expected to collect his passport and papers to allow him to leave the country. However, Mr Eljuboori was hit with two fresh charges that detailed accusations against him due to his online posts.
His lawyers were told he was being charged under Article 226 of an Iraq penal code that criminalises someone “who publicly insults” a public authority or official.
But, in another twist yesterday, Mr Eljuboori’s wife Laura Wickham announced these charges could also be dropped when he returns to court today. She said the two people who made the complaints about her husband’s social media account have indicated to his legal team that they will not proceed.
Mr Eljuboori, who remains formally charged with their accusations, is scheduled to find out today in Baghdad if the complaints are now withdrawn.
They were made by the chairperson of the National Investment Commission and the Mayor of Baghdad. Mrs Wickham described the past week as a
“rollercoaster of emotions” and a “cruel game” and urged Iraq to let her husband return home to Ireland. Speaking from their home in Balgriffin, Co Dublin, she said the “next 24 hours are crucial”.
Mrs Wickham said: “The initial confusion at Yasser’s disappearance, the terror as I learned the news of his arrest, detention and criminal charges brought against him by the Prime Minister, the relief when he was released and now despair at these latest developments.
“This feels like a cruel game, an ongoing torment playing with Yasser’s freedom.
“Our children miss their dad and I miss my husband. I call on the Iraqi authorities to allow Yasser to return home.”
His barrister Caoilfhionn Gallagher said dad-of-three Mr Eljuboori is “being targeted by multiple officials for his work highlighting corruption in Iraq”.