Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah arrives in UK after release from Egyptian prison
Abd el-Fattah, 44, became Egypt’s most prominent political prisoner after spending much of his adult life in detention for his activism.
Prominent activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, released from prison after an Egyptian presidential pardon in September, has arrived in Britain, the Egyptian-British activist’s family and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Friday.
Abd el-Fattah, 44, became Egypt’s most high-profile political prisoner after spending much of his adult life in and out of prison for his activism, and is a rare symbol of opposition to a wide-ranging crackdown under President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi.
The long detention of Abd el-Fattah, who obtained British citizenship through his mother, Laila Soueif, in 2021, and his repeated hunger strikes alongside his own have sparked widespread international calls for his release.
She confirmed her return on Facebook: “Praise be to Allah, Alaa has arrived in London safe and sound. »
Abd el-Fattah returns to London
In a longer statement, his family said he flew from Cairo to Britain on Friday after his travel ban was lifted by Egyptian authorities on December 20. The statement said he would soon be reunited with his son Khaled, 14, who lives in Brighton, southern England, with his mother.
Prominent British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, who was released from prison after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi granted him a presidential pardon, greets his family and friends at their home in Giza, Egypt, September 23, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY)
“I am delighted that Alaa Abd el-Fattah is back in the UK and reunited with his loved ones, who must feel a deep sense of relief,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on social media platform X.
“I want to pay tribute to Alaa’s family and everyone who worked and campaigned for this moment.”
Despite campaigns calling for Abd el-Fattah’s release, notably during COP27 which Egypt hosted in 2022, Sisi pardoned him in September this year, after ordering authorities to study his possible pardon. Abd el-Fattah’s name had been removed from the Egyptian “terrorism” list a few months earlier.
On Friday, Starmer also thanked the president for his decision to grant pardon.
