MEPs pass resolution calling for the release of Ibrahim Halawa

On Thursday, members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are due to vote on a resolution calling on Egypt to release Halawa.

He was arrested in August 2013 with tons of extra individuals for an alleged position in violence throughout protests in Cairo – fees he, witnesses, and his legal professionals all deny.

“Ibrahim is citizen of Ireland and the European Union”, said Ms Halawa.

“The Egyptian Government – including through contacts between the Taoiseach and President al-Sisi – is in no doubt as to the Irish Government’s strong interest in Mr Halawa’s welfare”, he said.

He and 419 others are awaiting a mass trial, which was adjourned for the 10th time this week.

His trial was postponed for the tenth time this week and has been rescheduled for Saturday December 19. The text expresses “deep concern” about the “unacceptable breach of basic human rights arising from the arbitrary detention” of Mr Halawa and calls for his immediate and unconditional release to the Irish authorities on foot of a presidential decree issued in November 2014 under Egyptian law 140.

“Obviously we all know how very important those years are, between 17 and 20 and what Ibrahim is actually missing out on in terms of his own life, and being able to live the life of an ordinary teenager and ordinary young person”. Earlier this year he went on hunger strike in a desperate attempt to campaign for his freedom from torture and inhuman and degrading treatment.

“This yet again proves the gross unfairness and absurdity of this trial process”. “With lots of of defendants, lots of whom have been imprisoned for months or years, it’s extremely probably that at the least one might be unable to attend courtroom on any given day”. If convicted, Halawa could receive the death penalty.