The wife of an Elphin resident who has been sentenced to 5 years in an Iraqi prison says he should be on suicide watch.
The family of Robert Pether, an Australian born engineer say he was convicted on bogus claims 'over charging' for a work contract.
The family say he is innocently caught up in a dispute between his employer and their client over a multimillion dollar construction deal.
Robert and his Egyptian born colleague Khalid Radwan also face a 12 million dollar fine before they will be freed.
The family now have 30 days to submit an appeal to the Iraqi court system.
Robert's wife Desree Pether told today's Let's Talk that they had hoped he would be freed based on documents presented to court proving his innocence.
She explains how she had to break the news to their 18 year old son.
The full interview with Desree Pether on Let's Talk with MaryClaire Grealy is available here.
