Laila Soueif, 69 years old, has been on a hunger strike in London for over 250 days in her quest to free her son, the activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, from incarceration in Egypt. As diplomatic pressure intensifies, her condition is now critical.
Alaa’s sister, Mona Seif, discusses with Michael Safi the impact of her brother’s imprisonment, her mother’s determination to secure his release, and the difficulty accepting her mother’s decision to risk her life in such a manner.
The Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour, recounts his meeting with Laila Soueif and highlights the family’s history of activism, including her husband, Ahmed Seif’s, reported past interactions with the Egyptian president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi. This history might be influencing Alaa’s prolonged detention.
Wintour and the article examine the efforts of various British governments to secure Alaa’s release and the strategic considerations of the Foreign Office. Additionally, potential diplomatic avenues are explored.
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