British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that Egyptian‑British activist and blogger Alaa Abd El‑Fattah has returned to the UK after nearly 12 years detained in Egypt. Abd El‑Fattah was among six prisoners pardoned by President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi following hunger strikes and international pressure. Starmer called the return a “profound relief,” while critics say the UK could have done more to press Egypt on human rights concerns. His mother confirmed he arrived in London safely.
Alaa Abd El‑Fattah Returns to UK After Nearly 12 Years in Egyptian Detention — Starmer Welcomes Him Home
Laila Soueif seeks the release of her son Alaa Abd El-Fattah from prison in Egypt as she sits outside Downing Street in London on February 5, 2025 [Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Photo]
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that Egyptian-British activist and blogger Alaa Abd El‑Fattah has arrived back in the United Kingdom after spending nearly 12 years in detention in Egypt.
Return and Official Reactions
Starmer described Abd El‑Fattah’s return as a “profound relief” and thanked campaigners and his family for their efforts. “Alaa’s case has been a top priority for my government since we came to office,” the prime minister said, adding that he was grateful to President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi for granting a pardon.
“I want to pay tribute to Alaa’s family and to all those that have worked and campaigned for this moment.” — Keir Starmer
Background: Charges, Sentences and Pardon
Abd El‑Fattah, a prominent writer and former blogger, was first detained during the 2011 uprising against then‑President Hosni Mubarak. He later became a vocal critic of President el‑Sisi, who took power after a 2013 military takeover. In 2014 he was sentenced to 15 years on charges of spreading false news; he was briefly released in 2019 but faced further legal action and received another five‑year sentence the same year.
In September he was among six prisoners pardoned by President el‑Sisi after sustained international calls for their release and a series of hunger strikes by detainees and supporters.
Travel And Departure
Although freed in September, Abd El‑Fattah initially faced a travel ban. Early on the day of his departure he posted a short, cryptic message on X: “Is it possible, kids, that we will say bye?” His mother, academic and activist Laila Soueif, later wrote on social media: “Praise be to God, Alaa reached London safely.”
Diplomacy And Human Rights Context
The British government had repeatedly raised concerns about Abd El‑Fattah’s prison conditions and called for his release, though it faced criticism for not applying stronger pressure on Cairo — a government that maintains close ties with both the UK and the United States. Egyptian authorities maintain they do not hold political prisoners, saying prosecutions are for violations of the law rather than political opinion.
Looking Ahead: Abd El‑Fattah’s return will focus attention on the broader issues of press freedom, political dissent and diplomatic relations between Western governments and Egypt.
