In brief
Laila Soueif, mother of jailed activist Alaa Abd El Fattah, is in critical condition after fasting for nearly five months. Her campaign aims to leverage diplomatic efforts for her son's freedom.
Laila Soueif, the mother of Alaa Abd El Fattah, one of the most prominent political prisoners in Egypt, has reached a critical situation after enduring 151 days of a hunger strike aimed at securing her son's release. Reports indicate that Ms. Soueif, a 68-year-old mathematician and British citizen, has been hospitalized with dangerously low blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Since late September, she has maintained her fast on a regime of water, rehydration salts, and sugarless beverages.Alaa Abd El Fattah, now 43, has been a significant figure in Egypt's political landscape and was sentenced to five years in 2021 after sharing a post on social media detailing mistreatment in prison. Laila began her hunger strike in response to the expectation that he would be released last September, a hope that was dashed.While she lives in Cairo, Ms. Soueif has made her presence felt in the UK, urging the British government to exert its influence on Egypt for her son's release. "When people ask, 'What do you think you’re doing?' I say, 'I’m creating a crisis,'" she remarked in an interview, highlighting her determination to raise awareness about her son's plight. Her family members continue to advocate for her well-being as she faces life-threatening health issues in her ongoing protest.
