Culture
12 Oct 17

Former Irish Justice Minister calls for Egypt Ambassador to expelled until Ibrahim Halawa is released

A former Irish justice minister has called for Egypt's ambassador to be expelled from Dublin unless Ibrahim Halawa is released from a Cairo jail.

Alan Shatter has said that the Egyptian Ambassador, Soha Gendi, should be expelled from Ireland if Ibrahim Halawa is not released by the end of the week – a move that would put pressure on the Egyptian government to act.

Ibrahim Halawa should by now be home.The Egytian ambassador shd be threatened with expulsion if Ibrahim is not released by this week's end.

— Alan Shatter (@Alan__Shatter) October 11, 2017

Ibrahim Halawa was put behind bars in Egypt in 2013, following protests and violence in the country, which led to the toppling of the ruling government, led by Mohammad Morsi. His trial was adjourned more than 20 times over the course of 4 years, before he was finally acquitted of all charges, including inciting violence, riot and sabotage, last month.

Despite his acquittal, Irish diplomats have reportedly been prevented from meeting with Halawa – and he remains behind bars.

According to the BBC, the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has written to the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi requesting his assistance in relation to securing Mr. Halawa's release.