The figures urged Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to take an “urgent humanitarian decision” to free Abdel Fattah [GETTY]
A group of Egyptian politicians, activists, lawyers and journalists called for the release of British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah, warning that his mother is in a critical health condition after more than four months on hunger strike.
The renowned activist was due to complete his prison sentence last September, but his family has charged that the Egyptian authorities began counting his prison time from the day of his sentencing rather than his arrest, in contravention of the law.
According to a readout provided to AFP by the family on Tuesday, the figures urged Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to take an “urgent humanitarian decision” to free Abdel Fattah.
They cited the deteriorating health condition of his mother, prominent academic Laila Soueif, who has refused food for 128 days, vowing not to eat until her son is freed.
The statement, read out by human rights lawyer Khaled Ali at the family’s home in Cairo on Monday, was signed by several politicians, including former presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabahy, head of the Al-Dostour Party Gameela Ismail and head of the Reform and Development Party Mohamed Anwar al-Sadat.
While some are longtime opposition leaders, others have recently engaged with Sisi’s administration to push for political reforms.
The statement warned that Soueif’s “medical reports indicate she is on the verge of danger and death”.
According to her doctor at Britain’s National Health Service, 68-year-old Soueif is starting to “develop heart failure”.
“She has lost 21kg and perhaps more, this is a huge amount and dangerous,” the doctor said in a letter shared with AFP.
Abdel Fattah, 43, was a leading voice in Egypt’s 2011 uprising that toppled former president Hosni Mubarak.
He was sentenced to five years in prison in 2019 for “spreading false news” after posting on Facebook about alleged torture in Egyptian jails.
In 2022, Abdel Fattah was naturalised as British through Soueif, who held the citizenship from her time living there.
Soueif has repeatedly called on the British government to intervene and press local officials in Egypt to release Abdel Fattah.
During a recent visit by British Foreign Secretary David Lammy to Egypt, Soueif urged him to “bring Alaa back with him on the plane”.
“I am tired of being on hunger strike and I am tired of sitting outside Downing Street waiting to die,” she said.
Since taking office in 2014, Sisi’s government has faced criticism over a sweeping crackdown on dissent that has targeted activists, journalists and opposition figures.
