Councillors back call for release of young man held in Cairo

DÃ?N Laoghaire Rathdown County councillors have backed a call for the immediate release of Ibrahim Halawa.

Irish born Ibrahim, whose father is Imam of the Islamic Cultural Centre in Clonskeagh, was detained with his two sisters, Somaia and Omaima last August in Cairo.

His sisters were later released, but Ibrahim who has since turned 18, was detained.

No book of evidence has been presented and he has not been charged with an offence.

Cllr Michael Merrigan (Ind) proposed a motion at the last council meeting that the council would call for the immediate release of Ibrahim Halawa and for his early return to Ireland.

He also asked that a copy of the motion be forwarded to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and to the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to demonstrate the council’s solidarity with the Halawa family.

As leader of the Independents’ Group on the council, Cllr Victor Boyhan added his support to the joint motion on humanitarian grounds and in the interests of justice.

Stillorgan councillor, Deirdre Donnelly (Ind) also welcomed the move.

“I am distressed that an Irish citizen, who was a minor at the time, was detained in an area of conflict for no reason,

? Cllr Donnelly said.

“I have heard about the appalling conditions in the prisons in Egypt. This is compounded by the fact that Ibrahim has not been charged with an offence despite the fact that he was arrested last August.

“I spoke with his sisters, Somaia and Omaima Halawa on Monday evening in County Hall and they understandably expressed concern for their brother’s fate.

“They told me how he was injured by a bullet during the civil unrest last summer. His hand was badly damaged and medical assistance was denied.

“They were with him last year but were subsequently released and have returned to Ireland. There were happy that all the councillors present voted collectively to support their brother.

“We are all very concerned about Ibrahim’s welfare,

? Cllr Donnelly added.

“A trial date has been set for later this month. I am very pleased that the all the councillors backed the motion unanimously calling for his imm­­diate release.

?