The European Parliament has been asked to ensure Ibrahim Halawa gets a fair trial.
The Dublin-born teenager was arrested at Cairo’s Al-Fath mosque in August 2013 following protests against the ousting of former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi. The 19-year-old has been detained for almost 18 months.
Halawa is charged with murder, attempted murder and destruction of public property during an attack on a police station. He is charged along with another 193 defendants.
His hearing was postponed last week - for the third time. His family have warned the delay could deepen depression which he has suffered in recent weeks.
Ireland South MEP Sean Kelly, says pressure must be applied on Egypt to ensure that justice is done for the 19 year old and almost 500 others detained in the same way.
Kelly said “there is an onus on us to ensure that he gets justice and if there is a trial it is fair and open and that the charges aren’t trumped up.
Kelly says an increased effort is needed to secure his release.
“ There are many more in the same position as him but as an Irish citizen and as a very young teenager at the time I think we need to redouble our efforts and we are discussing this – the Egypt situation – in parliament this week.
“Hopefully he can be released and sent back to Ireland,” he added.
