An Irish delegation headed by Chairman of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affair in Houses of the Oireachtas Deputy Pat Breen, arrives in Cairo Tuesday to discuss the release of a dual Egyptian-Irish citizen, according to a statement published Monday on Breen’s official website.
In his two-day visit, Breen will meet with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and high-profile officials. The deputy said in the statement that he would meet the Halawa, 19, in his prison.
Breen met Monday with Halawa’s family in Dublin, and stated “today (17 August) marks the two year anniversary of Ibrahim’s imprisonment in Cairo and the Committee has considered the case on an ongoing basis over the course of his detainment. All Committee Members are united in our grave concern for the well-being of Ibrahim Halawa.”
“This afternoon’s meeting with Ibrahim’s sisters was a valuable opportunity to hear the family’s concerns for Ibrahim’s health and well-being,’ the statement read.
Halawa was arrested on Aug. 17, 2013 when he and his sisters participated in a sit-in at the mosque. He and other 493 others, allegedly belonging to the banned Muslim Brotherhood, have been tried on charges of murder and attempted murder in incidents of Al-Fath Mosque.
Clashed outside the Al-Fath mosque, which took place outside downtown Cairo’s Ramses Square on Aug. 17, 2013, killed 44 people and injured 59, including 22 members of security forces.
Amnesty International previously sent the Egyptian embassy in Ireland a letter calling for Halawa’s release.
