Irish-Iraqi activist Yasser Eljuboori reunites with family after charges dropped

An Irish-Iraqi citizen, Yasser Eljuboori, known for his activism and outspoken criticism of corruption in Iraq, had been reunited with his family in Dublin on Wednesday after being detained by Iraqi authorities while attempting to return to his Irland late last month, according to Irish outlets.  

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs welcomed the decision by Iraqi officials to drop charges against Eljuboori in a statement on 29 February. 

"This is naturally positive news for him, for his family, and all those who know and cherish him," reads the statement.  

Wickham, on 26 February, expressed her shock on social media and conveyed her deep concern after her husband was arrested in Iraq. 

The family later issued a statement in which they said journalist al-Jubouri was arrested at Baghdad Airport while returning to his family in Ireland after visiting his sick mother in Iraq. Despite assurances from officials, he was arrested without a judicial order.

"He was insulted, beaten, and had his belongings confiscated. Yasser was then transferred to different locations, subjected to inhumane treatment, and denied basic rights," the family added. 

On 29 February, Eljubouri's family also filed an urgent appeal with the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, having learned the distressing news that he had been beaten and blindfolded in detention.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs and our Embassy in Amman, which is accredited to Iraq, are actively engaged on this case, including through official contacts with the authorities in Baghdad. We are seeking urgent clarification on why this Irish citizen was detained," a spokesperson for the Irish Foreign Ministry told The New Arab late in February. "As with all such consular cases, the Department of Foreign Affairs has appointed a dedicated case officer to liaise with the family."

The family also stated that after significant media attention on Yasser's abduction from Baghdad Airport, he was detained at the Al-Salhiya Police Station and charged under Article 226 of the Publishing Law by the Prime Minister's Office legal team.

Yasser faced charges under publishing law after his arrest at Baghdad Airport. Despite being on a hunger strike, he was denied access to family and friends, and his detention was extended until the 29th, the statement clarified.

"The charges relate to a tweet criticizing government appointments. Additionally, there was pressure for him to renounce his Irish citizenship and claim Iraqi citizenship…Furthermore, we have received information that the Iraqi government is about to issue a press statement containing new charges against Yasser in the coming hours to prolong his detention as much as possible," the statement added. 

The family has asked Faiq Zidan, the head of Iraq's judiciary, to "personally supervise the investigation with Yasser, trusting in his fairness and integrity."

The family also asked Iraq's Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, "to be a father to all Iraqis and to open an investigation into whoever tarnishes the reputation of our son through channels that were prepared to target him from the moment of his arrest".

Finally, the family said, "We will issue a subsequent statement revealing the offers that Yasser received to stop fighting corruption and his refusal, as this is being coordinated with the government of Ireland, which is now aware of our son's story and is following up with us on all developments."

Iraq, where different militias, especially Iran-backed militias, mar the law, is still considered unsafe for foreigners.