Ibrahim Halawa freed from jail in Egypt

Image captionIbrahim Halawa spent more than four years in jail before he was acquitted last month

Ibrahim Halawa, an Irishman who has spent more than four years in prison in Egypt, has been freed.

Mr Halawa, who is from Dublin, was arrested during a siege at the Al-Fath mosque in Cairo in 2013.

He was accused along with 500 others, including three of his three sisters, of inciting violence, riot and sabotage.

Image copyrightFREE IBRAHIM HALAWA

Image captionCampaigners posted a Facebook message on Thursday to say Mr Halawa had been freed.

He was acquitted of all charges more than a month ago, but his release was delayed.

That delay prompted a former Irish justice minister to call for Egypt's ambassador to Ireland to be expelled.

• Who is Ibrahim Halawa?
• Irishman cleared of charges in Egypt
• Jailed man writes 'graduation day' letter
• Concerns for Irishman on hunger strike

Campaigners posted a Facebook message on Thursday to say Mr Halawa, 21, had been freed.

They said: "We will now begin to make arrangements to bring him home where he belongs in Ireland."

Image copyrightFAMILY PHOTO

Image captionMr Halawa was 17 when he was detained by Egyptian security forces

Irish President Michael D Higgins was among a number of high-profile figures who have welcomed the new, wishing Mr Halawa well on his journey home.

"The release of Ibrahim Halawa will come as a great relief to his family," he said.

"It will be welcomed by all those who were concerned for him in his long ordeal of imprisonment."

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney tweeted: "Delighted 2 confirm Ibrahim Halawa has been released, being supported by family + Embassy. Some formalities still required before flying home".

Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan, who attended the Irishman's trial, tweeted: "Great news coming out of Cairo."

Image copyrightDECLAN WALSH/THE NEW YORK TIMES/REDUX/EYEVINE

Image captionAn emotional Ibrahim Halawa celebrated his acquittal on 18 September 2017

She said Mr Halawa had been subjected to four years of "illegal imprisonment" and said the focus now was on "getting him home".

Mr Halawa was 17 when he was detained by Egyptian security forces during a siege at the Cairo's Al-Fath mosque on 17 August 2013.

Three of his older sisters were also arrested and imprisoned, but they were allowed to return home to Ireland within three months.

Mr Halawa protested against his detention with a series of hunger strikes, and at one stage his family said he became so weak he was using a wheelchair.

The Halawas were acquitted of all charges against them on 18 September.

Source: www.bbc.com