Ibrahim Halawa has been released from prison

The 21 year old from Dublin was acquitted last month after 4 years in Egyptian prison.

Written by Hannah Byrne

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Ibrahim Halawa’s family are celebrating today after his release from prison, over one month since he was acquitted of all charges in an Egyptian court.

Ibrahim was arrested in Cairo in 2013 when he was just 17 years old, following protests against a military coup which had happened earlier that year. His three sisters were also arrested but later released on bail. All four were acquitted last month.

Ibrahim’s sister Fatima spoke of the surprise and excitement when they found out her brother was released saying that they “didn’t expect him to be released today at all”.

Ibrahim had been held in an Egyptian prison for 4 years and his trial had been postponed more than 30 times. He was tried as part of a mass trial with 493 other defendants.

The Minster for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveny, has said that they hope Ibrahim can return to Ireland by Sunday or Monday, and the Taoiseach has confirmed that the family are receiving consular assistance on the ground to help get Ibrahim back home.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and President Michael D. Higgins are among those to welcome Ibrahim's release.

 

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