Alaa Abdel Fattah: British-Egyptian activist arrives in UK after travel ban lifted

Alaa Abdel Fattah: British-Egyptian activist arrives in UK after travel ban lifted

Alaa Abdel Fattah, the British-Egyptian writer and pro-democracy activist, has finally arrived in the UK after Egyptian authorities lifted the travel ban that had been imposed on him. After spending over ten years in prison, he was released in September, marking the end of a long and difficult chapter in his life. This latest round of imprisonment stemmed from a conviction related to sharing a Facebook post that detailed instances of torture in Egypt.

Known as one of the most high-profile political prisoners in Egypt, Alaa Abdel Fattah was granted a pardon by President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, though the pardon initially did not permit him to leave the country. With the removal of the travel restrictions, he was able to fly to the UK and reunite with his 14-year-old son, who resides in Brighton. The UK Prime Minister expressed his happiness about Alaa’s arrival, emphasizing that the case had remained a priority for the government.

For Alaa and his family, this moment represents a fresh start after many years of hardship and separation. His mother, Laila Soueif, endured severe health risks while staging hunger strikes to demand his freedom. His sister, Mona, highlighted the global support that helped enable his release and expressed hope that the family can finally start the healing process. Following his release, Alaa spoke to the BBC from Cairo, reflecting on his adjustment back to everyday life.

He told the BBC in October, “I’m learning how to get back into life,” adding, “I’m doing much better than I would have expected. Much better than most people would have expected.” The campaign to secure his freedom received backing from his family, widespread public support, including from notable figures like Judi Dench and Olivia Colman, and persistent advocacy by the British government

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More