Alaa Abdel Fattah: British-Egyptian activist’s family pin hopes on PM

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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 the prime minister 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 the 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.(BBC)…[+]