The European Parliament has agreed to table an urgent motion for resolution calling for the release of Ibrahim Halawa.

The Dublin teenager was arrested in Egypt in August 2013 following a protest in Cairo, and is facing his 10th mass trial next week.

The proposed resolution, which will be heard in Strasbourg on Thursday, cites the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which considers that everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal.

It also supports a previous request made by the Irish Government for the release of Mr Halawa.

Sean Kelly MEP is hopeful that Ibrahim will be returned to his family very soon, saying the strong push from the EU and Irish Government could lead to action:

Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan also welcomes the news, but is looking to the Government for a change in strategy.

She says the Government has made a "political decision to follow a particular strategy" that is clearly not working:

Ibrahim, who was just 17 years old when he was arrested, is set to turn 20 tomorrow, December 13th.

He has been told his trial will now take place on 15th December - but it has already been adjourned nine times.

Ibrahim was one of almost 500 protesters arrested at a Cairo mosque in the summer of 2013, during a military coup that led to the fall of the democratically elected Mohammad Morsi.

Reprieve, a human rights organisation, has said Halawa has been subjected to torture while in prison, including beatings and solitary confinement.

Ibrahim's lawyers say he faces murder charges and execution if found guilty.