British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged intensified pressure on Egypt to release imprisoned activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah after meeting his mother, Laila Soueif, who continues a life-threatening 140-day hunger strike. The 43-year-old British-Egyptian dual national, jailed since 2019 for 'spreading false news,' faces deteriorating prison conditions as global human rights organizations demand accountability.
Soueif, 68, began refusing food on September 29 – the day her son was initially due for release. Sustaining herself solely on herbal tea and rehydration salts, she’s lost 25kg (55 pounds) while staging daily protests outside London’s Foreign Office and Starmer’s Downing Street residence.
‘Most mothers are prepared to die for their children,’she declared earlier this month, highlighting her unyielding resolve.
Abd el-Fattah’s imprisonment spans 14 years following his role in Egypt’s 2011 pro-democracy uprising. His latest 5-year sentence stems from liking a Facebook post exposing alleged torture practices. Despite completing his term in September 2023, Egyptian authorities extended detention until 2027 – a move Amnesty International condemns as politically motivated.
- Key Case Details:
- Arrested: September 2019
- Charge: Social media activism
- Original Release Date: September 2023
- Extended Confinement: January 2027
Starmer’s intervention follows mounting criticism of Egypt’s human rights record under President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. Over 60,000 political prisoners reportedly languish in Egyptian jails according to Human Rights Watch. While the UK previously faced scrutiny for weapon exports to Cairo, Starmer’s renewed focus signals potential policy shifts.
As the Foreign Office coordinates with Egyptian counterparts, activists warn Soueif’s health could collapse without immediate progress. With Euro-Med Monitor documenting weight losses suggesting critical organ failure risks, diplomatic urgency escalates alongside global media scrutiny.