A mother fighting for her son’s release from an Egyptian prison through a 134-day hunger strike has reached out to Sir Keir Starmer, urging him to continue advocating for her son even if she passes away soon. The son in question is pro-democracy activist Alaa Abdel Fattah, who holds both British and Egyptian citizenship. Although he was supposed to be released in September 2024, he remains detained in jail.
Laila Soueif, Alaa’s mother, has sustained herself solely on herbal tea, black coffee, and rehydration salts during her prolonged hunger strike. In a frail state, the 68-year-old expressed her concerns about the dwindling time to secure her son’s freedom during a press conference outside Downing Street. She called upon the prime minister to take action to help her son.
A government spokesperson acknowledged that efforts are underway to address Alaa Abdel Fattah’s case, emphasizing that ministers are actively engaged in the matter. Alaa was apprehended in 2019 on charges of disseminating false information, a claim refuted by human rights organizations. Despite being convicted in 2021, Egyptian authorities have not credited the time he spent in pre-trial detention towards his sentence.
During her plea outside Downing Street, Ms. Soueif, a prominent pro-democracy activist herself, implored the prime minister to ensure that her son’s case remains a priority. She highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, “I would like the prime minister’s personal assurance that even if I die during the coming days, this case is not going to go away.”
Despite requesting a meeting with the prime minister, Ms. Soueif expressed disappointment over the lack of response to her plea, revealing that Sir Keir had only corresponded with her via letters. She stressed the importance of a face-to-face meeting with the prime minister to discuss the dire situation.
Efforts by the UK government to address Alaa’s case have included appeals at the highest levels of the Egyptian government, including President Sisi and the foreign minister. The government has reiterated its commitment to securing consular access to Alaa and advocating for his release.
Ms. Soueif’s hunger strike has taken a toll on her health, leading to a significant loss of weight. Campaigners reported that she had shed around 28.3kg (4.5st) since starting the strike, representing nearly a third of her initial weight. Concerns were raised when she was rushed to the emergency department of St Thomas’s Hospital due to dangerously low levels of blood sugar and blood pressure.
Reflecting on her deteriorating health, Ms. Soueif emphasized the urgent need for intervention, urging Sir Keir to directly engage with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt. She stressed the critical role of the prime minister in persuading President Sisi to initiate a process that could lead to Alaa’s release
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