Alaa Abdel Fattah, a British-Egyptian pro-democracy activist, was stopped from flying to the UK by Egyptian passport control this week, as reported by his family. At 43 years old, Mr. Abdel Fattah was Egypt's most well-known political prisoner until his release seven weeks ago following a pardon from President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi.
He tried to board a flight to London on Tuesday accompanied by his sister Sanaa, only to be informed by officials at Cairo International Airport that he could not travel. They blocked him from boarding the flight and I had to go alone, Sanaa revealed during an interview on the BBC's Today programme, noting the lack of explanation provided by authorities. There was no response from the Egyptian government regarding this incident.
His sister also mentioned that they are seeking legal clarification regarding the circumstances that led to this travel ban, expressing her assumption that the renewal of his Egyptian passport would enable his departure.
Abdel Fattah holds both a British passport and a recently renewed Egyptian passport, yet officials did not allow him to travel. Sanaa stated, I assumed after the renewal of the Egyptian passport that he would be allowed to travel.\
Alaa Abdel Fattah's son, Khaled, currently lives in Brighton, UK, and requires a consistent environment due to his special needs. Khaled visited his father in Cairo for a month following his release but has since returned to the UK. Sanaa articulated the necessity for Alaa to reunite fully with his son, emphasizing, Khaled needs his father. We can't keep creating instability.\
Sanaa has reached out to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office for support, urging Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's office to intervene as well. A spokesperson for the FCDO acknowledged that President Sisi's decision to pardon Alaa was a positive step, while assuring that efforts are being made at high levels with the Egyptian government to resolve the situation swiftly.
Recently recognized with the 2025 Magnitsky Award for 'Courage Under Fire', Alaa's plight highlights the ongoing struggle for human rights in Egypt, where dissent is often harshly suppressed.
