In brief
Laila Soueif’s ongoing hunger strike, which has lasted 151 days, has led to serious health concerns as she advocates for the release of her son, Alaa Abd El Fattah, a prominent political prisoner in Egypt.
Laila Soueif, the mother of Alaa Abd El Fattah, a prominent political prisoner in Egypt, has reached a critical health juncture after fasting for 151 days to secure her son’s release. According to her medical team, the 68-year-old mathematician and British citizen has been hospitalized in London with dangerously low blood sugar and blood pressure. Her hunger strike was initiated in late September after it became evident that Abd El Fattah, 43, would not be released as anticipated following the completion of his five-year sentence. The activist was jailed after sharing a Facebook post that highlighted the abuse occurring within the prison system. Soueif has been primarily based in Cairo while also spending time in the UK throughout her protest. She has persistently called upon the British government to leverage its diplomatic and economic relations with Egypt to advocate for her son's freedom. “I’m creating a crisis,” she stated in an interview last fall, emphasizing her resolve to raise awareness of her son’s plight. Despite the severe risks to her health, Soueif has continued her fast, relying only on water, rehydration salts, and caffeine-free tea and coffee. Her critical condition raises an urgent call for action, as both local and international observers monitor the situation closely, advocating on her behalf in hopes of resolving the injustice faced by political prisoners in Egypt.
