![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/alaa-abdel-fattah-british-egyptian-activists-family-pin-hopes-on-pm/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/127545306_646b5961df4bf9ede9140b09e202831a9a332ccb.jpg&description=Image source, ReutersImage caption, Sanaa Seif flew to Sharm el-Sheikh to campaign on behalf of her brother Alaa Abdel FattahThe sister of jailed British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah says she "hopes and trusts" that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will be able to secure his release while visiting Egypt for COP27.Speaking from Sharm el-Sheikh, where the climate summit is taking place, Sanaa Seif told the BBC she was sure he "can do it if it is really a priority".Abdel Fattah, 40, has been on hunger strike for more than six months.His family has said he has now stopped drinking water and may die within days.A spokesman for Mr Sunak in Downing Street said he had stressed his "deep concern" over the case during a meeting with Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi."The prime minister said he hoped to see this resolved as soon as possible and would continue to press for progress," said a spokesman.Ahead of the trip, Mr Sunak told Abdel Fattah's family in a letter that his government was "deeply committed to doing everything it can" to secure his release.Abdel Fattah, who is a leading pro-democracy activist and blogger, first rose to prominence during the 2011 uprising in Egypt that forced long-time President Hosni Mubarak to resign.Since Mr Sisi came to power in 2014 after leading the military's overthrow of Mubarak's democratically elected successor, Abdel Fattah has spent most of the time in prison or police detention.Last year, he was convicted of "spreading false news" in social media posts and sentenced to five years in prison. Human rights groups had called the charge spurious and the trial a sham.In April, his family said he had begun a hunger strike to protest against his unjust imprisonment, cruel detention conditions and denial of British consular visits. He consumed only water and salt solution initially, then allowed himself a maximum of 100 calories a day.Last week, he told relatives that he would drink only water until Sunday, when COP27 started, and wou){kind=link}
The sister of jailed British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah says she “hopes and trusts” that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will be able to secure his release while visiting Egypt for COP27.
Speaking from Sharm el-Sheikh, where the climate summit is taking place, Sanaa Seif told the BBC she was sure he “can do it if it is really a priority”.
Abdel Fattah, 40, has been on hunger strike for more than six months.
His family has said he has now stopped drinking water and may die within days.
A spokesman for Mr Sunak in Downing Street said he had stressed his “deep concern” over the case during a meeting with Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi.