The trial of Irish teenager Ibrahim Halawa, a prisoner of conscience, and 493 others detained in Egypt following protests in August 2013 has been postponed yet again. The next scheduled trial date is 8 February 2015.
This is the third postponement of a trial for these defendants since their arrest.
Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland Colm O’Gorman said: “The injustice continues. The defendants in this case seem to have to wait indefinitely for their day in court.”
“Should that day ever arrive, it’s highly unlikely that the defendants will receive a fair trial in accordance with human rights standards or due process. The integrity of the Egyptian justice system at this point is in tatters. We are again calling for an end to this mockery of justice.”
“Ibrahim has spent over 500 days in prison on trumped up charges of everything from murder to preventing people from praying in a mosque. He was a child when he entered prison and has been ill-treated during his detention. He and his family have been subjected to an appalling ordeal that must end. He should be at home with his family and friends and getting on with his life.”
“Ibrahim Halawa is an Amnesty International prisoner of conscience and is imprisoned and on trial solely for exercising his rights to freedom of expression and to peaceful assembly. Neither he nor his sisters were at the location of the alleged shooting, locked as they were in the sanctuary of Al Fath Mosque. The list of charges would be ridiculous if the consequences were not so serious. He cannot expect justice at the hands of the current Egyptian system and should be released immediately and unconditionally, and with all charges against him dropped.”
“We urge the Irish Government to continue their work on his behalf and to use every means at their disposal, including through the European Union, to secure his release.”
Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Amnesty International, said: “Egypt’s criminal justice system is losing all credibility. Thousands have been detained as part of a sweeping crackdown on dissent, with the authorities’ political opponents first in the firing line. The judicial authorities are busy locking up government critics, while letting security forces responsible for gross human rights violations walk free. It’s time for a return to rule of law, rather than the pantomime of justice we see today.”
Further Information:
Ibrahim Halawa is charged with the following offences:
1. Murder
2. Attempted murder
3. Disturbing public order
4. Hindering the work of national institutions
5. Protesting without authorisation
6. Destroying public property (police station, public companies and police vehicles)
7. Preventing people from praying in Al Fath Mosque
8. Possessing weapons9. Attacking security forces
Image: Ibrahim Halawa © Amnesty International