Opinion

Time to release Ibrahim Halawa

There will be enormous concern that the prosecution in Egypt of Irish-born Ibrahim Halawa was yesterday delayed for a 22nd time, meaning that he has been held in prison without trial for almost four years.

Mr Halawa, who is 21 and from Dublin, was only 17 when he was arrested in disputed circumstances during a siege at a mosque in Cairo and charged, together with over 400 people, with inciting violence, riot and sabotage.

He has since staged a series of hunger strikes in protest over his treatment and Amnesty International, after carrying out its own investigations, has said it is convinced of his innocence.

With the Irish government also closely monitoring developments, there is an overwhelming case for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Halawa.