Today marks the Dublin teenager’s 21st birthday – and his 17th trial date
The Green Party said today that today must be the last birthday Ibrahim Halawa spends behind bars while awaiting mass trial in Egypt. Turning 21 today, he was just 17 years old when arrested. Today is also his 17th trial date, having been afforded no opportunity to present a defence, or see the evidence against him in the previous postponed 16 dates.
Speaking today, Green Party Deputy Leader Catherine Martin TD said: “21st birthdays are meant to be special occasions, spent with friends and family. They are meant to signify a coming of age, as children mature into young adults. Unfortunately, Ibrahim is spending his 4th birthday in a row in detention, having suffered more hardship than many experience in a lifetime.
“We desperately hope that today will be the last birthday Ibrahim spends in jail, and that he can return home to his family as soon as possible. Today is also his 17th trial date. The biggest gift Ibrahim could receive today is to be allowed home to his family, and this ordeal brought to end. We hope that this will be the case.”