The mother of prominent Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abdel Fattah is in critical condition and “close to death” after 242 days on hunger strike, her daughter warned Friday.
Laila Soueif, 69, was hospitalised in London on Thursday with “critically low” blood sugar levels, having resumed her full hunger strike last week.
Sanaa Seif, Soueif’s daughter, shared concerns outside St. Thomas’ Hospital, stating that while doctors managed to temporarily raise her mother’s blood sugar with proteins, Soueif continues to refuse glucose.
“The bottom line is, we’re losing her, and… there is no time,” Seif stressed, urging UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to “act now, not tomorrow, not Monday. Now, right now.” She reiterated Starmer’s previous promise to help secure her brother’s release.
Alaa Abdel Fattah, a 43-year-old writer and activist, was arrested in September 2019 and sentenced to five years for “spreading false news” related to police brutality.
He has become a symbol for thousands of political prisoners in Egypt.
A United Nations panel on Wednesday declared his detention “arbitrary and illegal” and called for his immediate release.
Soueif began her hunger strike on September 29, 2024, the day her son was expected to be freed.
Abdel Fattah, who has spent much of the last decade imprisoned, also started his hunger strike on March 1 after learning of his mother’s hospitalisation.
Soueif had previously eased her strike in February after Starmer indicated he had discussed her son’s case with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
She had been consuming 300 calories daily but returned to only rehydration salts, unsweetened tea, and vitamins last week.
Her family reports she has lost over 40% of her body weight since September.
Last week, Starmer’s office reconfirmed the prime minister had again pressed Sisi for Abdel Fattah’s release.
Soueif’s daughter confirmed contact with the UK foreign ministry, stating, “They know she’s dying. They know in detail how she’s dying.”
A foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed they were “concerned to hear of Laila’s hospitalisation” and continued to advocate for Abdel Fattah’s release.