Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah has arrived in the United Kingdom following his release from an Egyptian prison under a presidential pardon, marking the end of nearly five years behind bars and enabling his reunion with family members including his 14-year-old son in Brighton.
High-profile activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, 44, landed in London on Friday after Egyptian authorities lifted a travel ban imposed on him on December 20, allowing him to leave Cairo and join his family in the UK, according to Al-Monitor reporting.
Activist’s Safe Arrival and Family Reunion
Alaa Abd el-Fattah, who holds dual Egyptian-British citizenship obtained through his mother Laila Soueif in 2021, flew to Britain from Cairo on Friday, his family confirmed in a statement reported by Al-Monitor. His mother posted on Facebook that “Praise be to Allah, Alaa reached London safely,” as cited by the outlet. The family statement added that Abd el-Fattah would soon reunite with his 14-year-old son Khaled, who resides in Brighton, southern England, with his mother. According to Al-Monitor, this development follows his release from prison in September under a pardon issued by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
As reported by Reuters staff for Al-Monitor, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the news on social media platform X, stating: “I’m delighted that Alaa Abd el-Fattah is back in the UK and has been reunited with his loved ones, who must be feeling profound relief.”
Background of Imprisonment and International Campaign
Alaa Abd el-Fattah has spent much of his adult life in and out of detention in Egypt due to his activism, emerging as the country’s most prominent political prisoner and a symbol of opposition amid a wide-ranging crackdown under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, according to Al-Monitor. His lengthy imprisonment, which totalled nearly five years in his most recent stint, involved repeated hunger strikes participated in by his mother Laila Soueif, prompting extensive international appeals for his freedom as detailed in the outlet’s coverage. Despite sustained campaigns, including notable efforts during Egypt’s hosting of the COP27 climate summit in 2022, President Sisi directed authorities earlier this year to review a possible pardon, leading to Abd el-Fattah’s release in September after his name was removed from Egypt’s “terrorism” list months prior, Al-Monitor reported.
Path to Pardon and Travel Freedom
Egyptian authorities lifted Abd el-Fattah’s travel ban on December 20, paving the way for his departure from Cairo, as stated by his family and covered by Al-Monitor. This followed his presidential pardon in September, which Al-Monitor attributes to a review process ordered by President Sisi. The activist’s dual citizenship and high-profile status amplified global attention on his case, with pleas from various international figures contributing to the pressure for his release.
Government and Family Reactions
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed delight at Abd el-Fattah’s return, paying tribute to his family and all campaigners involved, according to his statement on X as reported by Al-Monitor via Reuters. The premier highlighted the profound relief felt by Abd el-Fattah’s loved ones. His family, in a detailed statement, emphasised the safe arrival in London and the impending reunion with his son, underscoring the emotional significance after years of separation, per Al-Monitor’s account. No immediate official reaction from Egyptian authorities was detailed in the available reporting from Al-Monitor.
The developments represent the culmination of prolonged efforts to secure Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s freedom and return to the UK, with his family confirming his safe arrival in London on Friday and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledging the reunion with his loved ones.
