An Irish MEP is highlighting the case of a Kerry man facing 20 years in jail after being arrested while volunteering on rescue boats in the seas off Greece.

Seán Binder was arrested after trying to save refugees from drowning as they attempted to make their way to Europe.

He is among 24 volunteers facing up to two decades in jail after being accused by Greek authorities of smuggling and spying.

Ireland South MEP Grace O'Sullivan says the increasingly common prosecution of humanitarian workers is worrying.

"His life is on hold and has been for already two years", she said.

"It is very concerning because there seems to be a shift ... now they're trying to criminalise the humanitarians and this is a really bad, bad moment."

'Sword hanging over our heads'

Mr Binder's case will come before the Greek courts in January after four years.

"We want this trial", he said.

"In fact, we have pushed for this trial more than the prosecution has because we know that we're innocent."

"Until we get to trial, we have this sword hanging over our heads."

"There's violence and there's an incredible amount of injustice."

The Trinity graduate has already spent more than 100 days in Greek prison, which was "one of the worst experiences of [his] life".

"We are talking about a prison system that is outrageously underfunded."

"There's no running water in some of these places, there is no flushing toilets, there are parasites."

"There's violence and there's an incredible amount of injustice", he added.

'Human rights are being diminished'

Mr Binder believes that the ongoing prosecution of humanitarian workers undermines basic human rights.

"Imagine you arrive at the scene of a car crash and there's someone lying on the road that needs your help", he said.

"If you check their pulse before you check their passport, you've committed the same supposed crime that I've committed."

"The rule of law, human rights are being diminished because we are letting fear-driven politics determine whom we help."

Humanitarians

Despite his four-year ordeal with Greek authorities, Mr Binder is confident his group will be found innocent.

"When we go to trial, we'll be found innocent because we did nothing wrong", he said.

"And as soon as we're found innocent, it will prove that search and rescue is a legal requirement."

"It will mean that all the search and rescuers that the day after our arrest were frightened away from the shoreline will return", he added.

Main image shows Sean Binder at a protest in Greece. Image: Instagram