UK PM Starmer pledges support for hunger-striking mother's campaign for son in Egypt

Laila Soueif, the mother of jailed British-Egyptian pro-democracy activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah, has been on a hunger strike for over 140 days, protesting her son's imprisonment in Egypt since 2019. Following a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who pledged to advocate for her son's release, Soueif announced she would cease her daily visits to Downing Street. Starmer committed to raising Abd El-Fattah's case at the highest levels of the Egyptian government and expressed his determination to reunite him with his family. Abd El-Fattah, who was sentenced to five years in prison for allegedly spreading false news, has faced extended detention despite being eligible for release. Soueif's health has deteriorated significantly, prompting concern from MPs and human rights organizations regarding her well-being and the ongoing crackdown on dissent in Egypt. The British government continues to face pressure to secure the activist's release amid calls for immediate action.