Sinn Féin’s Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Seán Crowe TD, has reiterated his calls for the Foreign Affairs Committee to formally invite Lynn Boylan MEP to brief the Committee on her visit to Egypt and meetings with Ibrahim Halawa.

Deputy Crowe said:

“Ibrahim Halawa has been in jail for over two years in terrible conditions.

“I welcome that the Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee Pat Breen TD visited Ibrahim and that his report has been laid before the Committee, but Lynn Boylan MEP must also be given the opportunity to brief the Committee on her meeting with Ibrahim and her attempts to attend his last trial.

“I personally believe a written report on this important case is not enough and I have reiterated my request that both of them should be afforded the opportunity to publicly brief the Committee on this hugely important case.”

Dublin Lynn Boylan MEP said:            

“Ibrahim remains detained in harrowing conditions while he faces another mass trial and its inevitable postponement on the 4th of October.

“I returned from Egypt 7 weeks ago and I am surprised that the Foreign Affairs Committee has not yet requested me to attend a meeting so that I could discuss Ibrahim’s case with them and detail issues Ibrahim raised with me. I reiterate my willingness and availability to meet the Committee on this urgent issue.

“The Egyptian President officially pardoned and released two Al-Jazeera English journalists and over 100 other prisoners, including human rights activists, yesterday. Its important that TDs and Senators are aware of all the issues surrounding Ibrahim’s case and that they continue to fight for his release.”

ENDS