IBRAHIM HALAWA’S FAMILY have said that he is “dying” in prison as his detention continued to tick towards it’s fifth year.
The Dublin-born prisoner has been held without trial in Egypt since being arrested at a protest in Cairo in August 2013.
Despite numerous requests by the Irish government that he be freed, Egyptian President el-Sisi has said that he could only consider pardoning him when his trial is complete.
Halawa’s trial has, however, been scheduled and cancelled 19 times meaning that he is yet to receive due process almost four years after his arrest.
Amnesty International has been among those to criticise the trial process and has condemned efforts to try Halawa in a mass trial involving an estimated 493 other defendants.
Halawa’s family and politicians who have visited him have criticised the harsh conditions in which he is being held and his family has now said his condition has deteriorated.
They say he has developed a skin disease from staying in the prison hospital in which he is held.
“Ibrahim is dying and we as a family will hold both governments responsible for anything to happen to him. We’re running out of time. We urge the Taoiseach to at least secure his release before its too late,” the said.
Halawa’s family have previously outlined the circumstances under which he was arrested, saying they were attending a protest against government oppression and brutality.
They have also expressed their dismay that he was not released along with 203 political prisoners who were freed by the government yesterday.
The Green Party has said that the government must do more to ensure the safety of an Irish citizen who is being held in such conditions.
“The government have to take a firmer line with the Egyptian authorities. Ibrahim’s family have said today that Ibrahim is dying – it is not acceptable that an Irish citizen could die in a foreign prison,” deputy leader Catherine Martin said today.
“It is not acceptable that an Irish citizen can be held for over three years without trial. The government’s wait-and-see approach is no longer acceptable.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say