Ibrahim Halawa Trial Postponed For An 18th Time
Firhouse man Ibrahim halawa's trial in Egypt has been postponed for an 18th time. The Dubliner has spent almost 3 and a half years in jail after being arrested during a protest in Cairo.
This day last week the 21 year old from Dublin was given fresh hope after a group of TD's visited him.
A delegation from Ireland were in Cairo to call for him to be freed and met with the Egyptian president. Abdel Fattah el Sisi said that he would facilitate Ibrahim's release after the trial.
The 21 year old along with 493 others faced into their 18th court appearance today and it was hoped there would be some movement on the case. He was arrested in August 2013 while taking shelter in a mosque during political protests in Cairo.
Despite a longer than usual hearing – the judge adjourned it for three weeks. They’re due back in court on February 14th. Colm O'Gorman from Amnesty International said Ibrahim "has endured eighteen delays in his mass trial and spent 41 long months living in horrendous conditions in an Egyptian prison cell."
"Ibrahim’s ongoing detention is a clear and inexcusable violation of both Egyptian and international human rights law. Amnesty International remains gravely concerned for his physical and mental wellbeing."
"It is long past time that the Egyptian authorities respect international human rights law and allow this young Irish citizen to return home", he said.
Speaking after the latest court hearing in the case in Egypt, Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said "there appears to have been some progress in the trial at today’s hearing, with a number of witnesses called and questioned."
"I sincerely hope that this indicates that the trial is finally now moving forward and that there will be an early conclusion".