Tentative welcome for reports Ibrahim Halawa will eventually be released

Mr Halawa, 21, is being prosecuted in a mass trial for allegedly participating in a political protest.

He was 17 at the time of his arrest in 2013 and has been charged with serious offences, all of which he strongly denies. His lawyers believe that, if convicted, he may face the death penalty.

A delegation of TDs who are currently visiting Egypt have reportedly been told by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi that Mr Halawa will be released and returned to Ireland upon completion of his trial.

Responding to the news, Colm O’Gorman, executive director of Amnesty International Ireland, said: “Ibrahim has spent almost three and a half years in prison in clear violation of his human rights, and in breach of international and Egyptian law. He should be immediately and unconditionally released.

“Though this news is welcome, it is dependent on the completion of his mass trial which does not meet fair trial standards required under international law. Though this report might appear encouraging, Ibrahim’s return to Ireland is dependent upon the completion of an unfair judicial process which shows no sign of coming to a conclusion.

“Since his arrest in August 2013, Amnesty International have been calling for Ibrahim’s release. It is long past time that the Egyptian authorities respect international human rights law and allow this young Irish citizen to return home.”

The next scheduled hearing in the case is on 17 January 2017.