Ibraham Halawa trial adjourned until January 2016 after lawyers walk out

Lawyers for 420 defendants, who stand accused of participating in a political protest in 2013, walked out of the courtroom in protest after presenting the judge with complaints about the poor treatment and continued detention of their clients.

After a 40-minute recess, the judge said the defendants should be allowed to visit doctors, but refused to address the issue of their continued detention.

The lawyers contended that their clients should be released on bail as legal proceedings had not been concluded two years from their arrest.

Mr Halawa, the only Irish citizen among the group, was arrested in Cairo in August 2013 at the age of 17.

He has allegedly suffered torture and permanent disfigurement to his hand since being taken into custody, and lawyers from Belfast firm KRW Law believe he faces the death penalty if convicted.

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan has said the Government has a “strong interest in Mr Halawa’s welfare” and wants to see him released.

He added: “I am extremely disappointed by this further adjournment of Ibrahim Halawa’s trial. I am also worried by reports that the laywers involved in this trial have collectively withdrawn from the case and I hope this matter can be resolved as soon as possible.”

The trial will resume on Saturday 9 January 2016.