Ibrahim Halawa is free!
The 21 year old Dubliner was released from custody in Cairo overnight.
It comes a month after he was cleared of all charges connected to mass protests in Cairo in August 2013.
His family have been describing the moment they heard the news of his release:
Ibrahim Halawa's sister Fatima has been describing the moment the family learnt he was finally out of jail #halawa pic.twitter.com/5I8GaLqlgP
— Stephanie Grogan (@StephGrogan3) October 20, 2017
Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney broke the news overnight:
Delighted 2 confirm Ibrahim Halawa has been released, being supported by family+Embassy. Some formalities still required before flying home
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) October 19, 2017
President Michael D Higgins has welcomed the news saying it will come as a huge relief to his family.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Ibrahim has "spent far too long in Egyptian prison", adding that he was "delighted" with the news of the young man's release.
Dublin MEP Lynn Boylan says he was first sent to a police cell and then released, 'Now the focus returns to bringing him home to Ireland'.
Great news coming out of Cairo. #IbrahimHalawa is free✊ 4 years of illegal imprisonment but now focus is on getting him home #FreeIbrahim
— Lynn Boylan MEP (@LNBDublin) October 19, 2017
Ibrahim was held for four years on charges relating to a Cairo protest in August 2013.
The Dubliner was one of 453 defendants in the mass trial which drew criticism for lengthy delays.
