Ibrahim now imprisoned in Egypt for three years

By Echo Reporter

On the third anniversary of Irish citizen Ibrahim Halawa’s arrest and imprisonment in Egypt, a impassioned call has gone out to the Government and the Egyptian authorities asking for his release from prison.

Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Seán Crowe TD, said: “Today actually marks the third anniversary of Ibrahim Halawa’s arrest and incarceration in Egypt.

“Just 17 years of age when he was arrested, he is now being tried as an adult.

“He has outlined in detail the ill-treatment that he and many others have faced, and the appalling prison conditions he has had to endure over the last three years.

“He was not charged for over a year after his arrest, is now part of a sham mass trial – he has no real hope of ever receiving a fair trial.

“His trial has now been postponed an incredible 14 times. I welcome that the Irish Government has recently adopted a different approach and is now supporting an application for a Presidential Decree under Law 140 on Ibrahim’s behalf.

“There is a window of opportunity between now and Ibrahim’s next trial date, Sunday, October 2, for diplomatic pressure from An Taoiseach to be exerted on Egyptian President el-Sisi.

“On this third anniversary of Ibrahim’s imprisonment, I am again calling on the Egyptian Government to immediately release Ibrahim and to allow him to return to his family and loved ones in Dublin.”