Varadkar, Sisi discuss Ibrahim Halawa

CAIRO – 29 August 2017: Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar discussed over the phone on Monday with President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi the case of Irish-Egyptian national Ibrahim Halawa, who has been prosecuted for years, as the verdict was adjourned on Sunday for three weeks.

In the aftermath of the ouster of former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi over mass protests in 2013, demonstrations by the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood members and supporters, along with other Islamists, broke out, and Halawa was arrested while participating in one of those demonstrations.

In the call, President Sisi emphasized the independence of the Egyptian judiciary and his respect for the principle of separation of powers.

The president added that all the rights of the prosecuted citizen are preserved and that the problem would be resolved in accordance with the law and the Constitution, and after the issuance of the verdict.

Sisi expressed Egypt’s aspirations of strengthening relations with Ireland, especially on the economic side, building up on the existing dual-trade relations.

On his part, Varadkar expressed his appreciation of the distinguished relations between his country and Egypt, saying that he was looking forward to further work with the president to develop the dual cooperation in different fields.