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Updated: 17:40
IBRAHIM HALAWA IS not among 82 people who were pardoned and released by Egyptian authorities today, according to the Irish embassy in Cairo.
Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pardoned 82 “youths” including a prominent advocate of Islamic reform, following calls to free prisoners, his spokesman said.
Sisi, a former army chief who won elections after toppling his Islamist predecessor Mohamed Morsi in 2013, had promised to look into pardoning prisoners at a conference last month.
However, Irishman Halawa has not been released and is still waiting on his trial to begin.
He has been waiting to face the charges since the middle of 2013.
Still waiting
His trial has been delayed 16 times since his initial incarceration and is now scheduled for 13 December.
A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs this afternoon confirmed he had not been released.
It read:
Our Embassy in Cairo has advised that Ibrahim Halawa is not among the prisoners pardoned by President Al Sisi.
“We are examining the basis for the pardons and Department of Foreign Affairs and trade officials have been in touch with Mr Halawa’s Irish-based lawyers today. The Irish Government is continuing in our determined and sustained efforts to see Ibrahim returned to Ireland.”
Halawa and his three sisters were arrested and detained after being caught up in a protest against the sitting president’s removal from power.
His three sisters were released from prison in November, 2013.
Amnesty International said it had conducted a thorough review of the prosecution evidence and concluded that Ibrahim could not have committed the violent crimes with which he has been charged.
Executive director of Amnesty Ireland, Colm O’Gorman, said: “Ibrahim’s ongoing detention is an outrageous violation of this young Irish citizen’s rights.
Having endured sixteen trial delays and 39 months living in horrific conditions in an Egyptian prison cell, it is long past time for the Egyptian government to intervene and secure his release, as they have in the cases of those released today.
Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan wrote to Taoiseach Enda Kenny earlier this month calling on him to directly intervene on behalf Halawa.
She said: “Ibrahim Halawa is an Irish citizen, a young man from Dublin, who is being held captive in Egypt without trial. This grievous injustice is going on for over three long years.
“This is the sixteenth postponement of Ibrahim’s trial. He continues to suffer appalling physical and mental degradation as he languishes in prison far from home.”
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Edward Snowden – the gift that keeps giving !
Yanks Go home and fix your own mess first and then come back to us and prove that you are as great as your Army makes you !
And they call themselves a democracy…haha what joke
They are. But spying on forigen lands is the norm. Every country even us has a intelligence service.
Thing with vpns they are going to be used by forigen services and terrorists to hide messages. I use one myself as a means to use Netflix and such.
But you can be sure China is watching the Web too. I have absolutely no issues with the Americans watching the Web as long as the data that’s not pertinent is deleted. we can’t have another hoover where they find a nude pic and hold it over a president in future. Once it’s used to watch the Islamic nuts and the far right and far left nuts then I’m happy someone has our back.
NSA = the backdoor specialist
……America is our friend apparently – Funny that when they allow thousands of Irish to build their economy but won’t give them citizenship …
And then we are without an American Ambassador for ages – they knew this was coming down the line I’d say ….well of course they did…
I think it is now very important for people to begin to distinguish between a country’s military and its people – In my opinion the JCOS have become nothing more than a rogue terrorist organisation with little or no respect for international law !
ShoulD I say hello to Langley as I am sure they are reading this – yeah I will …
hello Langely – just a quick question – do you consider Peeping Toms perverts ?
Ryan – there is no doubt that Langley’s take on you is similar to that of the majority of journal posters.
You are as daft as a brush….
Correct Will. Not only does DR talk to himself – but he even types to himself.
‘yeah I will…’
Howya Lorraine …..
Will – I am daft as an angry brush – slight difference – l.o.l.
Happy New year boys and girls !
Will and Lorraine – sorry Bill – Here’s a word for ye ” soliloquy” –
And no – there is no need for ye to forward any reimbursement for your continued education in the written word – I like to share –
Have a good one !
Come on folks, be honest. If Frank posted this yesterday, there would be the usual suspects calling him crazy. And hes been onabout this stuff for ages.
Excellent post Jason – the next thing that Frank should be on is the” Ninth Circle Cult “….surprised he isn’t actually !
And here’s two words for you, Ryan.
‘Total Pillock’.
Thanks for sharing Will – are you receiving treatment ?
Rumour has it there’s a guy married to a woman from Killimor that might be able to help you – he suffers from the same thing apparently – I could be wrong though !
Ryan, you have REALLY lost it. Do you know?
Try getting a life. Without links, and, with at least, a tenuous grasp on reality.
Outside Athenry, where you’re the subject of some anonymous ridicule.
Anonymous ridicule – what’s that – Cowards gossip?
Get a life – where ?
Lost what ?
I know my name which is more than I can say for you ……did you loose it or what or are you really a big hole in the ground ?
Happy New Year G.P.
Greetings are not accepted from idiots. Who have had very successful personality bypasses.
You don’t want to have a Happy New Year ? – and you think I’m an idiot – work away so sure …. your choice !
Seeing as Frank seems to be on a day off …
How to beat airport security apparently …
Drones don’t work apparently..
have your say