THE family of imprisoned Irish national Ibrahim Halawa, who remains in
an Egyptian prison since his detention in Cairo in August 2013, has
appealed to Dubliners to continue helping their campaign to free him.
Ibrahim and his sisters were arrested during a protest in Ramsis when at least 97 people died.
Ibrahim was 17 years old at the time of his arrest and remains in jail in Egypt.
Two trial dates have passed with the next one scheduled for early January.
Just before Christmas, members of the Halawa family and local representatives gathered outside the Egyptian Embassy in Dublin to protest at his continued detention.
Over 100 people attended the candlelit vigil to mark the young man’s 19th birthday.
His cause has also been taken up by Amnesty International that has declared Ibrahim an Irish Prisoner of Conscience.
Speaking to Southside People from her Firhouse home, Ibrahim’s sister Somaia (28), who had been arrested with Ibraham but later released, appealed to our readers to help the campaign to get her brother released.
“There was a good turn out for the candlelit protest outside the embassy but we need to keep fighting for Ibrahim’s release,
? she said.
“We have an ongoing campaign to put pressure on the authorities to release Ibrahim but we need all the help we can get.
“Ibrahim is turning 19 in jail,
? she added in a statement.
“It has been a year and four months since he has been home with his family. We are extremely distressed about his ill-treatment and don’t believe he can get justice in Egypt.
“Although we, his sisters, have been released on bail we continue to suffer daily knowing that our brother must endure the physical and mental torture we went through
“It is only the people of Ireland that can help show the oppressor from the oppressed. We, his family, urge them to take Ibrahim to their hearts and continue to call for his release.
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In a statement, Colm O’Gorman, the Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland, said the protest outside the Egyptian embassy marked Ibrahim Halawa’s 19th birthday.
“This is his second birthday behind bars in Egypt accused of crimes he did not commit and awaiting a trial we do not believe will be fair or in accordance with due process,
? he said.
“If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
“The Egyptian authorities must release this Prisoner of Conscience immediately and drop all charges against him.
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Maya Foa, Strategic Director of the Death Penalty Team at legal charity Reprieve, which is assisting Ibraham, said:
“It is appalling that Ibrahim Halawa, arrested at just 17, is now spending his 19th birthday in prison in horrendous conditions, subject to a
‘mass trial’ that is simply a mockery of justice.
“Ibrahim’s arrest, continued detention and potential trial alongside 500 others is a flagrant violation of international law.
“The international community must call urgently on Egypt to end his ordeal, and that of many others like him.
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