Egypt: the family of activist Alaa Abd el Fattah demands signs of life

Laila Soueif, the mother of Alaa Abd el Fattah in front of the Wadi Natrun prison, where the political activist is supposed to be detained, on November 9, 2022. REUTERS - HANAA HABIB

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

While world leaders follow one another in Sharm el-Sheikh, the Anglo-Egyptian activist, detained in the country, has been on hunger strike since April.

But since the opening of COP27 on Sunday, Alaa Abd el Fattah has also started a thirst strike.

Without news of him, his family demands proof of life. 

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Since Alaa Abd el Fattah started his

, his mother has been going to the prison every day where he is supposed to be held.

But since Sunday, she has not been able to see him or pass him clothes or books.

Driven by the fear of a possible imminent death of her son, she continues despite everything her round trips to Wadi Natrun, 100 kilometers from Cairo. 

Laïla Soueif therefore returned to prison on Wednesday, November 9.

Again, she was unable to obtain any information regarding Alaa Abd el Fattah.

And this time, the guards didn't want to take the letter she had written to him.

"

asked Mona Seif, sister of the activist, emblematic figure of the 2011 revolution against Hosni Mubarak, on Twitter.

►Also read: At COP27, the UN calls for the release of Alaa Abdel Fattah, his sister fears for her life

An element that increases the concern of those close to her, since Tuesday, the prison administration has also not given Laïla Soueif a message from Alaa Abd el Fattah.

And there are rumors that “

 ,” worries his aunt, writer Ahda Soueif.

The family of the Anglo-Egyptian activist is therefore demanding proof of life and a transfer of their loved one to a hospital in Cairo for him to receive treatment.

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• Egypt

• COP27

• Human rights