UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged Egyptian President al-Sisi to release Alaa Abd El-Fattah, jailed since 2019 for spreading false news. Fattah’s mother, Laila Soueif, has been on a hunger strike for over 150 days, suffering severe health consequences. Family members are pleading for immediate action from the Prime Minister to secure a resolution before it’s too late.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has formally called on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to liberate activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a British citizen currently imprisoned in Cairo since 2019. During a recent telephone discussion, Starmer emphasized the urgency of Fattah’s situation, linking it to human rights concerns and the treatment of political prisoners in Egypt. Previously, Starmer met with Fattah’s mother, Laila Soueif, to gain insights into the activist’s circumstances.
Alaa Abd El-Fattah, 43, has been a significant voice for democracy in Egypt and was arrested in September 2019. He received a five-year prison sentence for allegedly “spreading false news.” This trial, described by his family as a sham, has resulted in calls for his immediate release, asserting he has already completed his sentence. Fattah was granted British citizenship in 2022, enhancing the diplomatic urgency of his case.
Laila Soueif, aged 68, has been engaged in a hunger strike for over 152 days to protest her son’s imprisonment. Her health has severely deteriorated, leading to hospitalization in London due to critically low blood sugar and sodium levels. Despite medical warnings about her precarious health, Soueif has opted for a temporary glucose drip upon her daughter’s advice, although her long-term survival remains uncertain.
Sanaa Seif, Fattah’s sister, has implored Prime Minister Starmer to act swiftly, fearing it might be her last chance to motivate her mother to continue the hunger strike. She has urged the Prime Minister to maximize his influence while he can to secure Alaa’s release, emphasizing the humanitarian aspect of their plea.
The UK Prime Minister’s plea for Alaa Abd El-Fattah’s release highlights ongoing concerns regarding human rights in Egypt. The situation of Fattah, alongside the actions of his family, particularly his mother’s hunger strike, draws attention to the urgent need for diplomatic intervention. Starmer’s engagement with both Egyptian authorities and Fattah’s family underscores the complexities surrounding political activism and personal freedoms in the region.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
