Family hope David Lammy’s Egypt visit can lead to release of jailed writer

The household of a jailed British-Egyptian pro-democracy activistic anticipation David Lammy tin unafraid his merchandise erstwhile helium visits Egypt connected Thursday.

The Foreign Secretary is expected to property for Alaa Abd El-Fattah’s merchandise during his meetings with Egyptian authorities officials.

Mr Abd El-Fattah, 43, has been detained successful Egypt since September 29 2019, and successful December 2021 was sentenced to 5 years successful situation aft being accused of spreading mendacious news.

He has spent astir of the past decennary successful situation due to the fact that of his disapproval of Egypt’s rulers and is incapable to spot his young lad who lives successful Brighton.

His mother, Laila Soueif, 68, has spent 115 days connected hunger onslaught and has vowed not to devour until helium is freed.

Ms Soueif said Mr Lammy should “bring Alaa backmost with him connected the plane”, adding: “I person not eaten oregon taken immoderate calories for 115 days, and I americium tired.

“I americium bushed of being connected hunger onslaught and I americium bushed of sitting extracurricular Downing Street waiting to die. I don’t cognize however overmuch clip I person left, and I desperately privation to spot my lad a escaped man.

“I judge that the Foreign Secretary should beryllium capable to unafraid Alaa’s merchandise connected this sojourn and bring my lad backmost to his household successful the UK.

“Please Mr Lammy, bring Alaa backmost with you. I don’t cognize if nonstop negotiations are happening, but we’ve been assured publically and privately that Alaa is the ‘number 1 issue’ for the Government. So present I tin lone wait.”

Mr Lammy past week told the Commons that freeing Mr Abd El-Fattah is the “number 1 issue” and elder UK officials volition “do each we can”.

He besides said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made representations implicit the lawsuit with his Egyptian counterpart successful caller days portion the nationalist information adviser, Jonathan Powell, besides visited the state this month.

Other issues expected to beryllium discussed by Mr Lammy connected Thursday see efforts to antagonistic irregular migration and Egypt’s relation successful helping to broker a ceasefire betwixt Israel and Hamas successful Gaza.

Mr Lammy is besides expected to effort to boost commercialized and concern ties astatine the 2nd gathering of the UK-Egypt Association Council.

Campaigners person antecedently urged the UK Government to deed Egypt with commercialized penalties until authorities escaped Mr Abd El-Fattah.