UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to release activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah, jailed since 2019. Following discussions with Fattah’s family, including a meeting with his mother Laila Soueif, who is on a prolonged hunger strike, the urgency for Fattah’s freedom has been emphasized. The family’s protests highlight grave concerns regarding human rights abuses in Egypt.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to release Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a British citizen and activist incarcerated in Cairo since 2019. During a conversation on Friday, Starmer emphasized the importance of securing Fattah’s freedom. Previously, Starmer met with Fattah’s mother, Laila Soueif, to discuss the ongoing situation regarding her son.
Alaa Abd El-Fattah, age 43, is a prominent pro-democracy advocate who was arrested by Egyptian authorities in September 2019. He was subsequently sentenced to five years in prison for “spreading false news.” As a key figure in Egypt’s 2011 revolution, Fattah received British citizenship in 2022 through his mother, who was born in the UK.
Fattah’s family has condemned his trial as a mockery of justice and demands his immediate release, asserting he has completed his sentence. Laila Soueif, who has been on a hunger strike for 152 days in protest of her son’s imprisonment, was recently hospitalized in London due to severe health issues stemming from her protest.
Despite being cautioned about life-threatening risks by medical professionals, Soueif reluctantly agreed to receive a glucose drip following her daughter’s intervention in an effort to sustain her life. She has lost approximately 30 kilograms (66 pounds) during her hunger strike and intends to continue until her son is liberated.
Sanaa Seif, Fattah’s sister, has implored Prime Minister Starmer to act swiftly, fearing that this may be the final chance to influence her mother to maintain the protest. She has urged the Prime Minister to utilize the limited time available to advocate for her brother’s release.
In summary, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is advocating for the release of British activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah from Egyptian custody. Fattah’s family continues to protest his imprisonment, with Laila Soueif enduring a hunger strike to draw attention to his case. Sanaa Seif’s plea underscores the urgency for action, emphasizing the critical nature of securing her brother’s freedom while also addressing their mother’s health crisis. The situation remains dire, reflecting significant human rights concerns in Egypt.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
