"Egypt's president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, granted him his freedom after intensive lobbying by the UK government and pressure from Egypt's national human rights council. Keir Starmer, the UK prime minister, is known to have telephoned Sisi three times to lobby for Abd el-Fattah's release. His national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, also called for his release as did the former foreign secretary David Lammy."
"Abd el-Fattah's 69-year-old mother, Laila Soueif, has been admitted to hospital in London twice after going on hunger strikes to try to secure his release. The prominent activist and maths professor also held vigils outside the Foreign Office and Downing Street, saying she was prepared to die to achieve her son's release. The campaign for has also been led by Abd el-Fattah's two sisters, Mona and Sanaa, and other family members."
Alaa Abd el-Fattah will be released after serving six years in prison for liking a Facebook post. Egyptian president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi granted a presidential pardon following intensive lobbying by the UK government and pressure from Egypt's national human rights council. UK prime minister Keir Starmer telephoned Sisi three times; national security adviser Jonathan Powell and former foreign secretary David Lammy also called for his release. Growing warmth in British-Egyptian official relations, including over handling the Palestine question, may have influenced the decision. Abd el-Fattah's mother, Laila Soueif, was hospitalized twice after hunger strikes and held vigils; his sisters Mona and Sanaa led the family campaign while keeping a low profile. The pardon was reported by al-Qahera News and included his full name.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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