UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to release Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a British activist imprisoned since 2019 for spreading false news. Laila Soueif, Fattah’s mother, has been on a hunger strike for 152 days in protest. His sister, Sanaa Seif, has solicited prompt action from Starmer, stressing the need to secure Fattah’s freedom.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to release Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a British citizen and prominent activist who has been imprisoned in Cairo since 2019. During a recent telephone conversation, Starmer urged for Fattah’s immediate release, underlining the importance of addressing his case.
Fattah, aged 43, is well-known for his pro-democracy activism and was a significant figure during Egypt’s 2011 revolution. His arrest, which occurred in September 2019, led to a five-year prison sentence for purportedly “spreading false news.” Starmer previously met with Fattah’s mother, Laila Soueif, to discuss her son’s dire circumstances.
Laila Soueif, 68, has resolutely protested her son’s incarceration through a hunger strike that has lasted for 152 days, drawing significant attention to their plight. Recently hospitalized due to health complications related to the strike, she has lost nearly 30 kilograms (66 pounds), yet remains committed to continuing her protest until her son is freed.
Sanaa Seif, Fattah’s sister, has implored Prime Minister Starmer to take decisive action, indicating that this moment may be critical for her mother’s resolve in the protest. She emphasizes the urgency of securing her brother’s release while there remains an opportunity to influence political change.
In summary, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is advocating for the release of Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a British activist imprisoned in Egypt since 2019. The emotional plea from Fattah’s mother, who is on a prolonged hunger strike, highlights the urgency of the situation. Starmer’s engagement with Egyptian leadership showcases diplomatic efforts to rectify this complex human rights issue, with Fattah’s family urging swift action for his freedom.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
