Urgent Plea: Egyptian Activist’s Mom on Brink of Death!

A group of prominent Egyptian figures is making a desperate plea to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. They’re urging him to release British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah, whose mother is in critical condition after a grueling hunger strike. This isn’t just a legal matter; it’s a race against time.

Here’s a quick rundown of what’s happening:

  • Alaa Abdel Fattah is a well-known activist whose family claims his prison sentence is being unfairly extended.
  • His mother, Laila Soueif, a respected academic, has been on a hunger strike for over four months, demanding her son’s release.
  • Doctors warn that Soueif’s health is failing, and she’s at risk of heart failure.
  • Egyptian politicians, lawyers, and journalists are now publicly calling on Sisi to intervene on humanitarian grounds.

The Desperate Plea for Freedom

The call for Abdel Fattah’s release comes as his mother, Laila Soueif, faces a dire health crisis. She has been refusing food for 128 days, a desperate act to secure her son’s freedom. The group of influential figures is appealing directly to President Sisi, urging him to make an “urgent humanitarian decision.”

A Mother’s Fight: Laila Soueif’s Hunger Strike

Soueif’s health is rapidly deteriorating. According to her doctor at Britain’s National Health Service, the 68-year-old is showing signs of heart failure. The doctor’s letter, shared with AFP, reveals that she has lost a dangerous amount of weight. This isn’t just a protest; it’s a mother’s fight for her child’s life.

Alaa Abdel Fattah: From Activist to Prisoner

Alaa Abdel Fattah, 43, rose to prominence as a key voice in Egypt’s 2011 uprising. However, he was sentenced to five years in prison in 2019 for “spreading false news” on Facebook. His family argues that the Egyptian authorities are wrongly calculating his prison time, prolonging his detention.

The British Connection: A Call for Intervention

Abdel Fattah gained British citizenship through his mother in 2022. Soueif has been actively lobbying the British government to intervene on her son’s behalf. During a recent visit to Egypt, she pleaded with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy to bring Alaa back to the UK.

The UK government has faced increasing pressure to act. Human rights groups have criticized what they see as a soft approach to Egypt, prioritizing trade and security interests over human rights concerns. Some are calling for sanctions and other measures to pressure the Egyptian government to release Abdel Fattah and other political prisoners.

Sisi’s Government Under Scrutiny

Since taking office in 2014, President Sisi’s government has faced widespread criticism for its crackdown on dissent. Activists, journalists, and opposition figures have been targeted in what many see as an effort to silence any form of opposition.

Who are the people calling for his release?

  • Hamdeen Sabahy: A former presidential candidate
  • Gameela Ismail: Head of the Al-Dostour Party
  • Mohamed Anwar al-Sadat: Head of the Reform and Development Party

These figures, while some are long-standing opposition leaders, demonstrate a growing chorus of concern, even among those who have previously engaged with Sisi’s administration.

What’s Next?

The coming days are critical. Will President Sisi heed the call for Abdel Fattah’s release? Or will Laila Soueif’s hunger strike end in tragedy? The world is watching.

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