An Irish national who was arrested for his role in 2013 protests was acquitted on all charges after a four-year imprisonment, Wadi al-Natrun courts ruled Monday.
Ibrahim Halawa, 21, of Dublin, was cleared of murder, inciting violence, and arson during a mass trial in courts near Cairo, the capital city of Egypt.
The trial saw verdicts read for 500 prisoners, including US national Ahmed Etiwy.
Arrest and Charges
Halawa was arrested at the Al-Fath mosque raid in 2013 after he participated in protests against the ousting of Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated president Mohammed Morsi. He was originally on a summer trip to Egypt with his family, and just 17 years old at the time.
The Irish-Egyptian was detained along with his three sisters, although they were released and returned to Dublin three months following their arrest. Halawa, however, remained a prisoner until news of his upcoming release earlier today.
Ibrahim Halawa, moments after his acquittal. He jumped with joy, hugged fellow prisoners and had tears in his eyes. pic.twitter.com/P40IjYQLHK
— Declan Walsh (@declanwalsh) 18 September 2017
Halawa was reported to have “jumped with joy” upon hearing the verdict, hugging nearby detainees and clearly beaming with happiness.
Ireland’s Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, stated that their government plans to facilitate Halawa’s homecoming “at the earliest opportunity”.
“We are delighted with today’s news,” said Halawa’s lawyer, Darragh Mackin, to the Guardian. “After four turbulent years, Ibrahim Halawa has been found innocent of all charges. He has, from day one, maintained his innocence to the charges. He now looks forward to being reunited with his family an innocent man.”
Irish consul Shane Gleeson gestures to Ibrahim Halawa, Irishman imprisoned in Egypt for 4 years, after his acquittal. pic.twitter.com/5GaTLQY9Jk
— Declan Walsh (@declanwalsh) 18 September 2017
Ireland’s consul Shane Gleeson was also in attendance, and was photographed giving the detainee the “thumbs up” signal following the reading.
RTÉ News at One spoke to his sister, Nosayba Halawa, who reported that his family is “delighted” by news of his acquittal.
She said that they were watching his trial online from Dublin: “We couldn’t believe it. After all that suffering, it’s really come to the end.
“We don’t know when he’ll be released and when he’ll be home but I hope it will be soon. He has suffered a lot,” she stated.
Halawa’s trial was adjourned more than 30 times, and he faced gruelling conditions and multiple transfers during his four years in detention.
The exact date of Halawa’s release is yet to be known.
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