** Update: Ibrahim Halawa’s trial has now been postponed for an 11th time. The next trial date has been set for January 9th
MEPs have today passed a resolution in the European parliament calling for the release of Ibrahim Halawa, who has been in prison in Egypt since 2013.
Halawa, from Firhouse in Dublin, has been held in an Egyptian jail since August 2013, and his trial has been repeatedly postponed.
Halawa was 17 at the time of his arrest, having just completed his Leaving Certificate the previous June.
@LNBDublin reads a note from #ibrahimhalawa on his 20th birthday. #freeibrahimhalawa pic.twitter.com/SB7P83e0hA
— Nessa Childers MEP (@NChildersMEP) December 17, 2015
He is on trial with many others for their alleged role in violence during protests in Cairo in 2013, but many say the violence was mostly caused by excessive force used by Egyptian security. Halawa could face the death penalty if convicted.
According to Amnesty International: “In the case file, the prosecutor has failed to provide evidence that Ibrahim had used violence”.
Speeches were made by Irish MEPs including Lynn Boylan, Nessa Childers, and Brian Hayes.
Ibrahim Halawa resolution passed 566-11 abs 46 in the @Europarl_EN. #freeibrahimhalawa
— Nessa Childers MEP (@NChildersMEP) December 17, 2015
The resolution was passed 566 votes to 11 with 46 MEPS choosing to abstain.
Lead Image via Amnesty.
