UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to release Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a British activist imprisoned since 2019. Fattah’s family asserts his trial was unjust. His mother, Laila Soueif, has been on a prolonged hunger strike to protest his detention, while his sister calls for urgent action from Starmer.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called upon Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to release Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a British citizen and prominent activist detained in Cairo since 2019. During a Friday telephone conversation, Starmer emphasized the importance of securing Fattah’s freedom, a situation that he has engaged with as a matter of urgency.
Alaa Abd El-Fattah, 43, has been incarcerated since September 2019, facing a five-year sentence for allegedly spreading false information. He is recognized as a significant figure in Egypt’s 2011 revolution and was granted British citizenship in 2022 due to his mother’s nationality. Fattah’s family has condemned his trial as unjust, asserting that he has served his penalty.
Laila Soueif, Fattah’s mother, has staged a hunger strike for 152 days, protesting her son’s imprisonment and recently faced hospitalization due to severe health risks from her refusal to eat. Despite doctors’ life-threatening warnings, she reluctantly accepted a glucose drip at her daughter’s behest, though it is a temporary measure, and her condition remains precarious.
Sanaa Seif, Fattah’s sister, implored Prime Minister Starmer to take decisive action, expressing fear that this may be a critical moment to influence her mother’s willingness to continue her protest. She urged Starmer to utilize his position effectively to advocate for her brother’s release.
The case of Alaa Abd El-Fattah highlights significant concerns regarding political repression and human rights in Egypt. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s engagement with Egyptian authorities reflects an urgent diplomatic effort to resolve Fattah’s situation. Meanwhile, the unwavering commitment of his family, particularly Laila Soueif’s hunger strike, underscores the gravity of their plight and the demand for justice.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
