British-Egyptian pro-democracy activist Alaa Abdel Fattah was stopped from flying to the UK by Egyptian passport control earlier this week, his family says.
Mr Abdel Fattah, 43, was Egypt's best known political prisoner until seven weeks ago, when he was released from jail after being granted a pardon by President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi.
He attempted to fly to London on Tuesday with his sister Sanaa, but was informed by officials at Cairo International Airport that he was not permitted to travel.
They blocked him from boarding the flight and I had to go alone, Sanaa told the BBC's Today programme on Friday. There was no immediate comment from the Egyptian government.
They didn't explain much. Our lawyers in Egypt are trying to understand the legal grounds, Sanaa said.
She noted that her brother had both his British passport and a recently renewed Egyptian passport, adding, I assumed after the renewal of the Egyptian passport that he would be allowed.
Alaa Abdel Fattah's son, Khaled, resides with his mother in Brighton, where he is enrolled in a special needs school due to being on the autism spectrum. Khaled had spent time with his father in Cairo post-release but has since returned to the UK.
We're really glad to have [Alaa] back in our lives partially free, but he needs to have freedom of movement to live with his son, reunited with him properly, Ms Seif stated.
She urged Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's office to address this matter as the UK government works with Egypt to facilitate Alaa's return.
Alaa Abdel Fattah was awarded the 2025 Magnitsky Award for Courage Under Fire, recognition that Sanaa accepted on his behalf. He is a significant figure in Egypt's political landscape, rising to prominence during the 2011 uprising and enduring numerous imprisonments for his activism.
Despite being freed from prison, concerns remain regarding the restrictions on his movements and his ability to reunite with his family in the UK.
