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Updated 4.20 pm
DUBLINER IBRAHIM HALAWA could be home “in a matter of days” after being found innocent after four years in an Egyptian prison. His sisters Somaia, Fatima and Omaima have similarly been acquitted.
Halawa (21), an Irish citizen, was arrested during a protest in 2013 in support of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohamed Morsi who had been ousted from power in a military coup.
The hearing of Halawa’s case was delayed 28 times before his legal team finally had a chance to defend him in court in early August.
Ibrahim’s sister Somaia told TheJournal.ie that the family are “so delighted”.
“It’s been a long four years and we can’t believe that this has happened today.
“We hope he’ll be released soon and home within a couple of days.”
Today in court he was acquitted of all charges, something that Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone says should be followed by a swift return home.
“My thoughts, prayers and solidarity are with Ibrahim and his family, his dedicated legal team and everyone who I worked and campaigned with to bring us to this moment.
“It is important that all who campaigned over the past four years continue to co-operate to ensure Ibrahim’s return is arranged as soon as possible.”
“The Halawa family, in particular sisters Somaia and Fatima, are among the most inspiring people I have campaigned side by side with. At vigils, demonstrations and meetings within Government Buildings, their patience, persistence and resilience has been an inspiration, as is their love for their brother.”
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that he “wholeheartedly welcomed” the news and said that the government wold help facilitate his return.
“I hope it’ll bring to an end what will be a four-year ordeal, not just for him but for his family,” Varadkar told reporters at Government Buildings.
I’ve been in contact with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney to discuss this matter just in the last few hours, he’s in New York at the moment and obviously we’ll be assisting the family and Egyptian authorities to enable his return to Ireland as soon as is possible.
An Taoiseach added that it’s not known “for sure” when Ibrahim Halawa will return to Ireland but that it’s expected in the coming days.
I would anticipate that it would just be in a matter of days, but we don’t know that for sure. Obviously our consular and embassy staff on the ground will work with both him and the Egyptian authorities to enable him to come home as soon as possible and I do think it’s a welcome end to what really has been a four-year ordeal, not just for him personally but his family and also his friends.
Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said:
“On behalf of the government and on my own behalf I welcome the news from Cairo that Ibrahim Halwa has been acquitted. This is the good news we had been hoping for. Ibrahim Halawa’s name has been cleared and his innocence is confirmed.
“I look forward to him being released from custody without delay.”
Colm O’Gorman of Amnesty International said that “nothing can excuse” what Halawa went through.
“He spent more than four years locked up in harrowing conditions in various different Egyptian prison cells, without access to proper medical care. He was unlawfully detained with no credible evidence to support the charges laid against him.”
Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, who led a parliamentary delegation to Cairo to visit Ibrahim in January said:
“When I met Ibrahim in January, I expressed my hope that I would see him back in Dublin soon and while the process has been frustrating and long, I am delighted that Ibrahim will soon be reunited with his family back in Ireland.”
Micheál Martin told TheJournal.ie:
“I am delighted with the news that he has been found not guilty. I think it has been unacceptable the delay in progressing his case and contravenes all basic fundamental tenets of human rights. So we look forward now to his return to his family at the earliest opportunity. Genuinely I am delighted for him and his family that this not guilty verdict has been issued.”
- With reporting by Rónán Duffy
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Good for him. He saw a niche and filled it.
That’s what she said.
That’s really quite a clever idea, fair play to him for taking the initiative.
Them awards are a load of rubbish one so called entrepreneur won an award for making paper cups.
@ Jack – Fox won because he took on the chinese large volume only, two month wait manufacturers. “Cupprint offers a minimum order quantity of 1,000 cups for marketing companies and 5,000 for retail/cafes in a turnaround time of 15 days anywhere in Europe.” He also managed to create employment in this country in 2009. We need more people like this.
I read their story in the paper few months ago. Before they came along you had to get big orders from China with a 8 week turnaround time, now their process can do it in days and they’re supplying orders of all sizes to all over Europe from Ireland.
It’s easy to sit behind a keyboard and take pot shots and people who got out there in the world and did things. Most people wait around for life to happen to them, we need people, even if they’re a small number, who don’t wait around, who do things on their own initiative.
At least the business he set up was useful, unlike Sutherlands former Goldman buddies who make money on pointless nonsense like moving steel around to diff warehouses to artificially restrict the supply and make money off the ensuing spike in prices, and who lets not forget, were at the centre of the subprime mortgage scam that brought down the global economy.
We need entrepreneurs who actually provide goods and services and while this might seem like a small deal to you, I’m sure the people using it see the benefit.
And prey tell, what do you do for a living Jack? How many jobs have you created? How much wealth? How many families are paying mortgages and bills through something you set up?
Ciaran, I own 2 businesses and Im involved as a silent partner is 4 others also I own 6 houses that are rented out. In 1983 I invented a well known household product that I sold on for a tidy profit. At the moment I am looking at inventing a new form of transport so watch this space.
Well done Jack we need more people like you in Ireland
@ Jack – and you did’nt get an award. Sour grapes?
What’s your full name Jack?
Hi Mark!
A question on the product – is the money transferred out of the Country subject to an ‘exit tax’ for example?
Congratulations to all winners, except Peter Sunderland of course.
What’s your problem with Suds??
Best friend of Denis
Best friend of Denis ,must need to raise a few bobs.
Best friend of Denis ,he must need to raise money
This Sutherland thing is a sick joke. A ruthless character. How twisted can things get in the rarefied air of the unknowing?
have your say