El Sisi could pardon Halawa once trial is over

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has reportedly told a delegation of Irish parliament members visiting Egypt he will offer a pardon to Irishman Ibrahim Halawa once his trial is over, BBC reported. “Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin, who is among the delegation, told BBC News NI that the president gave a commitment to intervene to secure Mr Halawa's release and return to the Republic of Ireland once a verdict was handed down in his trial, which is due to go ahead next week.” Ó Broin says El Sisi told them “if he could do it today, he would,” but he cannot interfere with the judicial process.