LAST UPDATE | 6 Mar

AN IRISH CITIZEN who was detained by Iraqi police following a trip to visit his sick mother is back in Ireland, according to Tánaiste Michaél Martin.

Yasser Eljuboori, an anti-corruption blogger and activist originally from Iraq, was accused of “publicly insulting” authorities and officials on his social media account.

Eljuboori’s legal team had previously described him as suffering an “unjust and arbitrary detention” since he was placed in custody on Monday, 26 February after an arrest at Baghdad Airport.

Eljuboori was remanded in custody until Thursday, 29 February, when he was released on bail by a Baghdad court but his passport and belongings were retained.

The charges were initially filed by the Iraqi prime minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani.

Martin discussed the case with the Iraqi deputy prime minister Dr Fuad Hussein.

Martin said Hussein advised that he had raised the case at the highest level and was confident that Eljuboori would be released.

Eljuboori was then informed that the charges against him had been dropped and that following “two or three days of paperwork” he could return home.

However, when Eljuboori went to retrieve his passport on Sunday, he was informed of two new charges against him that were filed by the mayor of Baghdad and the chair of the National Investment Commission.

Martin today thanked Dr Fuad Hussein for his help following these new charges. 

Martin told RTÉ he is “delighted” for the Eljuboori family because Yasser’s detention has “placed extraordinary stress” on them.

While there were some “hiccups”, Martin said Eljuboori secured his passport on Monday and is now back home.

Eljuboori’s wife Laura Wickham said the past ten days “have been a living nightmare”. 

She thanked the Tánaiste and the Department of Foreign Affairs for this assistance, as well as her legal team.

“I am so proud to be Irish because of the interventions I have seen,” she added.

“I have had overwhelming support from every corner of the country. 

“I am so happy Yassar’s home with me and that this nightmare is over. I’ll never again take for granted the normal, everyday things.

“The kids are getting their dad back, and our house will have its life and soul again. Welcome home, Yasser.”