Urgent Health Risks for Woman on Extended Hunger Strike for Political Prisoner Son

The 68-year-old mother, now hospitalized after 151 days of fasting, demands intervention from the British government for her son's release from Egyptian prison.

Laila Soueif, a 68-year-old mathematician and British citizen, is fighting for her son, Alaa Abd El Fattah, a prominent political prisoner in Egypt, as her hunger strike reaches a staggering 151 days. Her protest, which consists of consuming only water, rehydration salts, and sugar-free beverages, is aimed at pressuring the British government to leverage diplomatic relations with Egypt for her son's release. Mr. Abd El Fattah, aged 43, was sentenced to five years in prison for sharing a Facebook post detailing abuses faced by inmates.

Soueif commenced her hunger strike after her son's expected release in September did not materialize. As she struggles in her campaign, she emphasized in a previous interview, "When people ask, 'What do you think you're doing?' I say, 'I’m creating a crisis.'" Unfortunately, after experiencing dangerously low blood sugar and blood pressure, she was admitted to a hospital in London, raising significant concerns about her health and the potential risks to her life.

While her pleas for help persist, Soueif remains steadfast in her commitment to advocating for her son's freedom, continuing to draw attention to his unjust imprisonment.