The trial of Dublin man Ibrahim Halawa has been postponed for an 18th time and will now take place in February.

The 21-year-old from Firhouse has been jailed in an Egyptian prison for the last three and a half years after being arrested while attending a protest in Cairo in 2013.

According to The Irish Times, Halawa was among a group of 493 people who were taken into custody during a demonstration against the ousting of then-president Mohamed Morsi.

Further delays to Ibrahim Halawa's trial incredibly disappointing. Now rescheduled for the 18th time - to February 7th #freeibrahim

— Brendan Howlin (@BrendanHowlin) January 17, 2017

Ibrahim Halawa trial delayed until 7th February. I had really hoped that this time would be different #FreeIbrahim

— Lynn Boylan MEP (@LNBDublin) January 17, 2017

His family told RTÉ Radio One that they had attended the protest to commemorate those who had died in the uprising and not to make a political statement.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has committed to ensuring the safe return of Halawa to Ireland once his trial has concluded but the hearing was postponed for an 18th time today.

It will now take place on February 7th.

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