We’re getting Him home...
»»Family’s joy at acquittal for young man held in Cairo protest »»sister hails supporters who believed in innocence all along AFTER 4YRS IN EGYPTIAN JAIL IBRAHIM HALAWA IS CLEARED
ECSTATIC celebrations broke out at the family home of Ibrahim Halawa yesterday when he was acquitted of all charges after more than four years locked up in Egypt.
Relatives and friends gathered at the house in Firhouse, South Dublin, to share their elation that he will be returning to Ireland later this week. The 21-year-old was just 17 when he was first detained in August 2013. He faced a mass trial alongside 493 other defendants but is now expected to be released within days. He was arrested along with his three sisters while hiding in the Al Fath mosque during protests against the ousting of then president Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood. His sister Fatima told the Irish Mirror the verdict came out of the blue. She said: “It’s amazing news. We just weren’t expecting a verdict. We’ve shed tears, we’ve screamed, we’ve thanked God. It’s amazing. “I don’t think we’ll get a chance to talk to Ibrahim until he’s actually released. That’s when we get a chance to actually talk to him. “The main thing is we’re going to be here for him when he’s home. Now it’s about what’s going to happen next. “We haven’t even thought about it. With the news, we haven’t even had time to think out what the next steps are going to be. “It feels like a journey we’ve experienced with so many people. It’s their right as much as ours to witness that happiness.” Recalling the past four years, Fatima added Ibrahim would face a “journey” as he returns home and recovers from an ordeal that saw him go on hunger strike as his trial was postponed 28 times. Fatima said: “It was like almost like you’re on a rollercoaster ride that just doesn’t want to end. It’s amazing to finally have him proven innocent. “Over the next few days it’s about having everything ready for him for once he’s back. Obviously he’s missed out on a lot, but also we want to give that sense of family. That we’ve been there for him. “It’s going to be a journey of recovery that he’ll need both physically and mentally. And to be back stable, and just to be able to come back to his normal life. “It’s been four years. If you look at some of his friends, some have graduated, they’re working. Some of them married. Some are abroad, travelling. “We also understand that it’s going to be a long journey for him to feel he’s back home and he’s safe and sound and
The main thing is we’re going to be here for him when he’s home FATIMA IBRAHIM’S SISTER, DUBLIN, YESTERDAY
amongst us.” Fatima also insisted the verdict “proves enough” for people who have been critical of the family throughout his time in jail. She added: “For some of us it was really heartbreaking and hurtful to feel people that are holding on to your own pain and your own grief. “But this verdict proves a lot. Ibrahim has been proven innocent, we’ve been proven innocent. But we’ve known we’ve been innocent from day one. “We’ve done nothing wrong. I think people just sometimes – they hide behind a screen and they accuse us of things. They don’t understand the pain and suffering it could have for anyone else.” Fatima and Ibrahim’s family also thanked those who have shown them support during their darkest days, and said they wanted them to witness and share the family’s “joy and happiness” at the decision. She explained: “It was like our back bone. It has honestly been so great. Especially people who had never known us. They were fighting for, supporting Ibrahim’s cause from day one.” Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and President Michael D Higgins led the tributes to Ibrahim after the news broke from Cairo yesterday. The Fine Gael leader said: “I wholeheartedly welcome this conclusion to what has been an extraordinarily protracted case. “Now that Ibrahim has been cleared of all charges, I expect he will be released as soon as possible and can return home to his family. “The Government will facilitate his return home at the earliest opportunity.” President Higgins added the news of Ibrahim’s acquittal was the end of a “prolonged, distressing and draining experience” for him and his family. He said: “This decision brings to an end a long ordeal that Ibrahim, his family, friends and legal team have been put through. I am sure Ibrahim’s family are looking forward to the moment that he will return to his home and loved ones. “I am sure they will have been sustained by the support of all those who have campaigned for his release over the last four years. “It is appropriate, also, to acknowledge at this time the important efforts of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the staff at Ireland’s embassy in Cairo.” Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said the acquittal of the 21-year-old was the “good news we had been hoping for”. He added: “Ibrahim Halawa’s name has been cleared and his innocence is confirmed. “I look forward to him being released from custody without delay. “My thoughts are with Ibrahim and his family at this time of great emotion for them.”