Tallaght man Ibrahim Halawa’s trial postponed for 18th time
The trial of Tallaght man Ibrahim Halawa, who has been in prison since August 2013, has been postponed for the 18th time in Egypt.
A statement released by Amnesty International this afternoon said: “There has been yet another adjournment in the mass trial of Ibrahim Halawa, the young Irish citizen imprisoned in Egypt.
“Ibrahim, who last month celebrated his 21stbirthday, has now spent almost three and a half years in prison as Egypt continues to ignore its obligations under both Egyptian and international human rights law.
“Amnesty International has declared Ibrahim a Prisoner of Conscience. Based on a thorough review of his case, the organisation has determined that he could not have committed the serious crimes which he was accused of.
“He has been imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.
Further delays to Ibrahim Halawa’s trial incredibly disappointing. Now rescheduled for the 18th time – to February 7th #freeibrahim
— Brendan Howlin (@BrendanHowlin) January 17, 2017
Labour leader Brendan Howlin, who was part of a group of TDs who visited Mr Halawa last week in prison in Cairo has said: “Further delays to Ibrahim Halawa’s trial are incredibly disappointing. Now rescheduled for the 18th time – to February 7th.”
The group of TDs, which included local representatives Paul Murphy (AAA), Colm Brophy (FG) and Eoin O Broin (SF), met with President Sisi last week who said he would not interfere in the case until the court proceedings had ended.
Speaking after the meeting last week Brendan Howlin said: “He said if he could do it (Send Ibrahim back to Ireland) today, he would do it.
“He said he would have done that the first day he was contacted by the Irish head of government, but that under the separation of powers that was not possible.
“He made it clear to us that he would exercise his legal authority for clemency as soon as a sentence was passed. In fact he said it would happen before we knew it.”
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein’s Eoin O’Broin speaking last week said: “If he (President Sisi) was unwilling to do this, we urged him to ensure that Ibrahim would be on the youth amnesty list which we understand is currently being compiled.
“President Sisi said that while he was not willing to intervene before the trial concluded, at that stage he would ensure Ibrahim’s safe and speedy return to Ireland.”
Ibrahim, who has been detained in an Egyptian prison since August 2013 without trial, was arrested during a public political protest against the military overthrow of Mohammed Morsi – Egypt’s first democratically elected president.
