NI: Ibrahim Halawa not among youths pardoned in Egypt
![NI: Ibrahim Halawa not among youths pardoned in Egypt](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3db92458376702a006e7c0d9/images/d51a64e3-42a3-4eaf-9bdb-cd75e020c300.jpg)
The family of Irish citizen Ibrahim Halawa have expressed regret that he was not included in a list of over 200 young people pardoned by the Egyptian government this week.
Mr Halawa, 21, is being prosecuted in a mass trial for allegedly participating in a political protest.
He was 17 at the time of his arrest in 2013 and has been charged with serious offences, all of which he strongly denies. His lawyers believe that, if convicted, he may face the death penalty.
On Monday, Egypt’s President al-Sisi issued a pardon for 203 young people who were jailed for taking part in demonstrations.
However, Mr Halawa - who is now being kept in hospital because of his poor health - was not included on the list.
In a statement, Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs said: “The Irish embassy in Cairo has reviewed the list of those persons covered by the announcement that the Egyptian president has pardoned a number of prisoners and has confirmed that Ibrahim Halawa is not amongst those who are being released.
“The embassy is continuing to monitor all developments relevant to the consular case of Ibrahim Halawa. The Irish government continues to prioritise this case and provide exceptional levels of consular care.”