Thirteenth adjournment of Ibrahim Halawa trial branded ‘horrific’

Lawyers acting for Irish citizen Ibrahim Halawa have said the thirteenth adjournment of his trial at a court in Egypt is “horrific news”.

Mr Halawa, 20, is being prosecuted alongside 419 co-defendants in mass trial for allegedly participating in a political protest in 2013.

He is the only Irish citizen among the group and was arrested in Cairo in August 2013 at the age of 17.

The case returned to court yesterday after an adjournment on 11 January 2016.

Solicitor Darragh Mackin at Belfast firm KRW Law told Irish Legal News: “It is horrific news that Ibrahim’s trial has been adjourned once again.

“When there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel, the Egyptian Criminal Process extends the tunnel. The Irish Government must now reconsider its strategy in line with this endless delay.

“The legal position is clear - Ibrahim is being arbitrarily detained. Therefore the Government should now abide by what is the accepted legal position and act promptly in securing his immediate release.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said he was “deeply concerned” by the latest adjournment.

He added: “I want to reassure Ibrahim’s family of my own and the Government’s continued commitment to achieving our two objectives: to secure his return to Ireland as soon as possible and to ensure his welfare during his detention.

“My Department is continuing to provide consular assistance to Ibrahim Halawa through regular prison visits.

“Officials from my Department will continue to work closely with Mr Halawa’s Egyptian legal team in support of our consular objectives.”