Freed Halawa sisters await news of brother

The Halawa sisters, who have spent four months in detention in Egypt, are hoping to find out today if their brother Ebraheem (17) will be freed to accompany them home to Ireland this week.

The siblings Omaima (21), Soumaia (28), Fatima (22) and Ebraheem were arrested during clashes between supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi and security forces.

On Friday night the sisters were reunited with family members in Cairo after being released from prison. It is understood that a fine of more than €1,000 was paid in respect of each woman.

The family had been hopeful that Ebraheem would be released over the weekend but attention is now turning towards an expected court appearance today.

Speaking to The Irish Times at the weekend another sibling, Nosayba Halawa, said the family hoped to be all together again this week and be back in Dublin on Thursday.

Ms Halawa earlier said she had late last week spoken directly with her sisters, for the first time since their detention. She said they were “okay” but had no further information as to what condition they were in.

“I have heard they were kept in the one room for two months without leaving. I don’t know exactly what condition they are in.”

She said the family had been told a decision on Ebraheem could be taken today, but there was little certainty about this.

The Irish Embassy has issued the family with new passports. A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said it was continuing to monitor the situation closely and was providing consular assistance to the family.